TPE-S (SBS)
GB GB/T 22014
TPE-S (SBS) is a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer compound to GB/T 22014, supplied from A30 to A85 and D40 plus PP-overmould (OM-PP), mineral-filled, FR, UV, FDA and foamable grades.
Reference datasheet — TPE-S (SBS) is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the A65 condition
TPE-S (SBS) grades and fills
TPE-S (SBS) is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. A65 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foamable / low-density shoe-sole grade | Use the foamable grade with chemical blowing agents for light midsoles and outsoles at 0.5 g/cm³, trading strength (2 MPa) for rebound and cushioning. | 2 | 350 | 45 Shore A | |
Shore A30 | Pick the ultra-soft oil-extended compound at Shore A30 for grips, toy soft parts and skin-like touch surfaces; tensile strength is only 2.5 MPa and oil bleed is likely. | 3 | 900 | 30 Shore A | |
Shore A40 | Choose Shore A40 for flexible sealing strips, soft pads and grip overmolds where 3.5 MPa tensile strength and 850 % elongation are sufficient. | 4 | 850 | 40 Shore A | |
Mineral (CaCO3) filled economy grade | Pick the calcium-carbonate filled economy grade to cut cost in soles and gaskets, accepting 4 MPa tensile, 450 % elongation and density raised to 1.2 g/cm³. | 4 | 450 | 20 Shore D | |
Shore A55 | Use Shore A55 when feel and strength must be balanced, as in tool handles and everyday soft-touch parts; 4.8 MPa tensile strength with 780 % elongation. | 5 | 780 | 15 Shore D | |
Halogen-free flame-retardant grade | Use the halogen-free UL 94 V-0 grade for cable jackets and plug overmolds needing flame-retardant approval; tensile drops to 5 MPa and elongation to 400 %, with a firmer feel. | 5 | 400 | 25 Shore D | |
Overmolding grade | Choose the overmolding grade for two-shot soft-touch skins that must fuse to non-polar PP, PS or ABS substrates; PC or PA substrates require an SEBS-modified type. | 6 | 680 | 18 Shore D | |
A65Default Shore A65 | Pick the unfilled natural Shore A65 compound as the default hardness for injection-molded soft parts, shoe soles and overmolds; 6 MPa tensile, 700 % elongation. | 6 | 700 | 20 Shore D | |
Shore A75 | Choose Shore A75 for shoe soles, floor mats and wheel treads needing better wear and tear strength; 7.5 MPa tensile, with elongation falling to 620 %. | 8 | 620 | 27 Shore D | |
Shore A85 | Pick Shore A85 for stiffer outsoles, castors and semi-structural soft parts; 9.5 MPa tensile and 0.025 GPa modulus at the cost of flexibility (550 % elongation). | 10 | 550 | 33 Shore D | |
Shore D40 | Use the rigid SBS/PS alloy at Shore D40 for the stiff transition layer of hard-soft assemblies and rigid soles; 13 MPa tensile and 0.06 GPa modulus, close to semi-rigid plastic. | 13 | 430 | 40 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TPE-S (SBS) is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FDA | Food-contact / non-toxic grade | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / weather-resistant grade | Grade option |
What is TPE-S (SBS)?
TPE-S (SBS) is a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer compound to GB/T 22014, supplied from A30 to A85 and D40 plus PP-overmould (OM-PP), mineral-filled, FR, UV, FDA and foamable grades. It is the low-cost route to rubber-like softness with straight injection moulding or extrusion; the default compound has 6 MPa tensile strength, 700 % elongation, 0.006 GPa modulus and 0.94 g/cm3 density. The unsaturated butadiene mid-block limits UV, ozone and heat performance, with service capped near 65 °C, and oil resistance is poor. For weathering, heat or medical duty step up to TPE-S (SEBS). TPE-S (SBS) has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -88°C (-126 °F). TPE-S (SBS) has a tensile strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi), weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is TPE-S (SBS) used for?
- shoe soles
- toys
- handle grips
- low-cost soft-touch overmolding
- adhesive compounds
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 700%, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 81% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.1%, better than 77% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 86% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
TPE-S (SBS) properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPE-S (SBS)-A65; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical3
TPE-S (SBS) has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.034 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -88°C (-126 °F).
Mechanical8
TPE-S (SBS) has a tensile strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi), weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal9
TPE-S (SBS) is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
TPE-S (SBS) is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPE-S (SBS) takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
TPE-S (SBS)'s machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TPE-S (SBS) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TPE-S (SBS)
Is TPE-S (SBS) easy to machine?
Too soft for conventional cutting; parts are normally injection moulded or extruded to shape. Where trimming is required, use sharp steel-rule dies, water-jet or cryogenic milling and avoid frictional heat, which makes the surface tacky.
Can TPE-S (SBS) be welded?
Hot-plate and hot-air welding work, and HF welding is possible when polar additives are present; solvent and adhesive bonding with neoprene or SBS-based adhesives is common. Ultrasonic welding performs poorly because the compound damps the energy.
Can TPE-S (SBS) be formed, bent or molded?
Melt at 165–205 °C with a 15–50 °C tool, low back pressure and medium injection speed; drying is not mandatory, but 1–2 h at 60 °C stabilises processing in humid weather. Shrinkage is 0.8–2.5 %, so use thick runners and large gates to prevent shear heating that crosslinks and chars the butadiene segments.
TPE-S (SBS) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SBS block copolymer ( / 30–40%)base resin; commercial linear or star SBS grades | 30 – 60 | 45 |
| white mineral oil ( / )softener; content sets final hardness | 15 – 45 | 30 |
| polystyrene / HIPSincreases hardness and flow | 0 – 15 | 7 |
| polypropyleneimproves heat resistance and overmolding adhesion | 0 – 10 | 3 |
| calcium carbonate fillerfiller, reduces cost; higher in economy grades | 0 – 30 | 12 |
| antioxidant / lubricant / colorantantioxidant system (1010/168) with lubricant and colorant | 0.3 – 2 | 1 |
| styrene monomerPS hard segment content in the finished compound | 10 – 25 | 16 |
| butadiene monomersoft segment | ≥ 20 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TPE-S (SBS)?
Natural colour is slightly yellow; colour with masterbatch and define the surface with blasted or grained tool finishes. Hard paints adhere poorly and destroy the soft feel, so produce matte, non-slip surfaces by etching the mould.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPE-S (SBS) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- GB/T 22014
- Also called
- SBS-TPE
How much does TPE-S (SBS) cost?
TPE-S (SBS) is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TPE-S (SBS) — frequently asked
What is TPE-S (SBS) used for?
TPE-S (SBS) is typically used for shoe soles, toys, handle grips, low-cost soft-touch overmolding and adhesive compounds. In short: cheapest soft-touch TPE; easy injection processing; poor UV and oil resistance.
What is the tensile strength of TPE-S (SBS)?
TPE-S (SBS) has a typical tensile strength of 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is TPE-S (SBS) easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of polymer grades). Too soft for conventional cutting; parts are normally injection moulded or extruded to shape. Where trimming is required, use sharp steel-rule dies, water-jet or cryogenic milling and avoid frictional heat, which makes the surface tacky.
Can TPE-S (SBS) be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Hot-plate and hot-air welding work, and HF welding is possible when polar additives are present; solvent and adhesive bonding with neoprene or SBS-based adhesives is common. Ultrasonic welding performs poorly because the compound damps the energy.
What surface finishes work on TPE-S (SBS)?
Natural colour is slightly yellow; colour with masterbatch and define the surface with blasted or grained tool finishes. Hard paints adhere poorly and destroy the soft feel, so produce matte, non-slip surfaces by etching the mould.
Can TPE-S (SBS) be formed, bent or molded?
Melt at 165–205 °C with a 15–50 °C tool, low back pressure and medium injection speed; drying is not mandatory, but 1–2 h at 60 °C stabilises processing in humid weather. Shrinkage is 0.8–2.5 %, so use thick runners and large gates to prevent shear heating that crosslinks and chars the butadiene segments.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPE-S (SBS)?
TPE-S (SBS) is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TPE-S (SBS) cost?
TPE-S (SBS) is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 18064 Thermoplastic elastomers — Nomenclature and abbreviated terms (TPS) — ISO (2014)
- Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers (Styrenic Block Copolymers chapter) — Elsevier/William Andrew (2014)
- SBS 791/792 TPE-S (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector TPE (TPS-SBS) — CWFG / UL (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.