TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15
Reinforced grade
ISO 18064 TPC
GF15 = 15 % glass-fiber reinforced TPC
Moderate reinforcement for parts needing higher stiffness and dimensional stability while keeping some ductility.
Values for the GF15 condition
Other TPC (COPE/TPEE) grades and fills
TPC (COPE/TPEE) is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at TPC (COPE/TPEE).
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-TPEE | Supercritical-CO₂ bead foam for sports midsoles and cushioning: very low density with high resilience and heat resistance vs E-TPU. | — | 2 | 150 | 15 Shore D |
Shore D 40 | Softest common TPEE for bellows, CVJ boots, flexible tubing and energy-absorbing dampers needing high flex fatigue at low stiffness. | 8 | 26 | 600 | 40 Shore D |
Partially bio-based TPC | Soft segment from renewable feedstock (typ. 20–60 % bio-carbon) for sustainability targets with near-identical mechanicals to fossil grades. | 15 | 36 | 500 | 50 Shore D |
55DDefault Shore D 55 | Default balance of elasticity, strength and heat resistance; the workhorse for boots, couplings, hose covers, gears and seals. | 18 | 40 | 500 | 55 Shore D |
heat- and UV-stabilized TPC | Use for long-life outdoor or under-hood parts (CVJ boots, wire harness, seals) where thermo-oxidative and UV ageing govern lifetime. | 18 | 38 | 480 | 55 Shore D |
Hydrolysis-resistant TPC | Carbodiimide-stabilized grade for hot water, humid or steam-exposed service where standard ester chemistry would degrade. | 18 | 38 | 480 | 55 Shore D |
FR V-0 | Pick for cable jacketing, connectors and rail/EV parts requiring UL 94 V-0 with low smoke and no halogens. | 19 | 28 | 300 | 55 Shore D |
Antistatic / conductive TPC compound | Carbon-black or CNT filled compound for static-dissipative rollers, tubing and fuel-system parts. | 20 | 28 | 250 | 58 Shore D |
Shore D 63 | Choose when higher load-bearing stiffness and creep resistance are needed but elastic recovery is still required (gears, sprockets, snow-plough parts). | 22 | 42 | 450 | 63 Shore D |
Shore D 72 | Semi-rigid grade for high-pressure hose cores, jacket layers, wear pads and snap-fit structural parts with residual elasticity. | 28 | 46 | 400 | 72 Shore D |
Shore D 82 | Hardest standard TPEE, near-engineering-plastic stiffness with high impact toughness; used for hose reinforcement, ski/boot shells and structural clips. | 38 | 48 | 350 | 82 Shore D |
GF15This page 15 % glass-fiber reinforced TPC | Moderate reinforcement for parts needing higher stiffness and dimensional stability while keeping some ductility. | — | 48 | 20 | 72 Shore D |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced TPC | Highest-stiffness TPEE for load-bearing, creep-critical parts under the hood where high HDT and low warpage matter more than elasticity. | — | 68 | 8 | 78 Shore D |
What is TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 is TPC (COPE/TPEE) in the GF15 grade — moderate reinforcement for parts needing higher stiffness and dimensional stability while keeping some ductility. TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi). TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F). 55D is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GF15 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 80% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 135°C (275 °F), better than 75% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.6%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TPC (COPE/TPEE) reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 has a density of 1.33 g/cm³ (0.048 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Mechanical12
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 is rated for continuous service to 135°C (275 °F). It conducts heat at 0.23 W/m·K (0.133 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 65% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 takes about 115 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability8
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15
Is TPC (COPE/TPEE) easy to machine?
Soft grades smear and deflect — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed/low feed, chilled or fixtured workpieces; hard 72–82 D grades machine much like acetal.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be welded?
Readily joined by hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, HF/RF and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, use polyurethane or cyanoacrylate adhesives after plasma/primer treatment.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % (2–3 h at 100–110 °C) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; inject at 200–250 °C melt, 20–60 °C mould, fast fill with generous gates; also extrudable, blow-mouldable and 3D-printable as filament.
What surface finishes work on TPC (COPE/TPEE)?
Takes in-mould texture and pad/screen printing with PU inks after flame or plasma treatment; not electroplatable, and overmoulds well onto PBT, PET and PC/ABS substrates.
TPC (COPE/TPEE) chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) hard secrystalline 4GT block; higher fraction = higher Shore D and Tm | 30 – 85 | 55 |
| antioxidant / hydrolysis / UV stabilizerhindered phenol + carbodiimide + HALS/carbon black depending on grade | 0.2 – 2 | 1 |
| glass fiberonly in GF variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) polyether soft block; polyester (e.g. polycaprolactone/adipate) soft segments used in oil/heat-optimised types | ≥ 15 (balance) | — |
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 — frequently asked
What is TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 used for?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 is typically used for automotive constant-velocity boots, gears/springs, cable jackets, sporting goods and industrial hoses. In short: toughest TPE for dynamic flexing; higher heat resistance than TPU; machinable at 72-82 D.
What is the yield strength of TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades). Soft grades smear and deflect — use very sharp positive-rake tools, high speed/low feed, chilled or fixtured workpieces; hard 72–82 D grades machine much like acetal.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily joined by hot-plate, ultrasonic, vibration, HF/RF and laser welding; solvent bonding is poor, use polyurethane or cyanoacrylate adhesives after plasma/primer treatment.
What surface finishes work on TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15?
Takes in-mould texture and pad/screen printing with PU inks after flame or plasma treatment; not electroplatable, and overmoulds well onto PBT, PET and PC/ABS substrates.
Can TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.05 % (2–3 h at 100–110 °C) to prevent hydrolytic MW loss; inject at 200–250 °C melt, 20–60 °C mould, fast fill with generous gates; also extrudable, blow-mouldable and 3D-printable as filament.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15?
TPC (COPE/TPEE) GF15 is rated for continuous use to about 135°C (275 °F), and briefly to 150°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between TPC (COPE/TPEE) 55D and TPC (COPE/TPEE) 82D?
55D is the default condition — default balance of elasticity, strength and heat resistance; the workhorse for boots, couplings, hose covers, gears and seals. 82D: hardest standard TPEE, near-engineering-plastic stiffness with high impact toughness; used for hose reinforcement, ski/boot shells and structural clips. Yield strength is 18 MPa in 55D versus 38 MPa in 82D.
Sources
- ISO 18064 Thermoplastic elastomers — Nomenclature and abbreviated terms — ISO (2014)
- Hytrel TPC-ET product and design guide — DuPont / Celanese (2023)
- Arnitel copolyester elastomer datasheets — Envalior (DSM Engineering Materials) (2023)
- Riteflex thermoplastic polyester elastomer datasheets — Celanese (2022)
- Pelprene TPEE technical data — Toyobo (2022)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector TPC-ET property sets — CAMPUS Consortium / UL (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.