TPE
also Santoprene-like TPE
TPE injection grades blend a polyolefin (PP) matrix with a rubber phase — dynamically vulcanised EPDM (TPV) or SEBS — so they mould like thermoplastics but behave like rubber, with 7.5 MPa tensile strength, 480 % elongation and 105 °C maximum service.
Values for the Shore A 30 to Shore A 90 condition
TPE grades and fills
TPE is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. Shore A 30 to Shore A 90 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foamable / low-density TPE | Weight- and cost-driven soft seals, sponge-like grips and acoustic parts using chemical or physical foaming. | 3 | 250 | 10 Shore D | |
Very soft grade | Choose for low-closure-force gaskets, soft-touch grips and bellows where sealing on light load is critical. | 5 | 400 | 9 Shore D | |
Soft general purpose | Balanced softness and tear strength for overmolded handles, cable strain reliefs and static seals. | 6 | 450 | 14 Shore D | |
Halogen-free flame-retardant TPE | Pick for cable jackets, connector seals and appliance parts requiring UL 94 V-0 without halogens. | 7 | 300 | 26 Shore D | |
Overmolding / bondable grade | Two-shot or insert overmolding on rigid substrates where peel adhesion, not just softness, governs the design. | 7 | 520 | 17 Shore D | |
Shore A 30 to Shore A 90Default Shore A 30–90 | Default catalogue entry covering the standard soft-to-hard injection grades; pick a specific Shore point when sealing force or feel matters. | 8 | 480 | 20 Shore D | |
Medium hard general purpose | Workhorse hardness for automotive weather-seal inserts, plugs, bushings and durable grips. | 9 | 500 | 22 Shore D | |
Hard grade | Use where higher stiffness, abrasion and load support are needed, e.g. wheels, dust boots, semi-rigid seals. | 12 | 550 | 28 Shore D | |
Very hard elastomer grade | Top of the Shore A range for stiff bellows, pipe seals and parts needing near-rigid feel with some flex. | 17 | 600 | 36 Shore D | |
Rigid TPE / TPV grade | Semi-rigid grade for structural flexible parts, air-duct bellows and living-hinge components replacing soft PP. | 23 | 500 | 40 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TPE 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 | FDA / food-contact grade | Certification |
MED | Medical grade | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / weatherable grade | Grade option |
What is TPE?
TPE injection grades blend a polyolefin (PP) matrix with a rubber phase — dynamically vulcanised EPDM (TPV) or SEBS — so they mould like thermoplastics but behave like rubber, with 7.5 MPa tensile strength, 480 % elongation and 105 °C maximum service. They need no vulcanisation, are recyclable, bond in 2K moulding to PP, PC, ABS and PA, and cover Shore A 30 to Shore A 90 plus Shore D 40 in FR V-0, UV, MED, FDA and foam versions. Stiffness and heat capability are below vulcanised rubber (generally ≤110 °C continuous), compression set is higher than EPDM, and polar solvents and hot oil cause swelling. TPE has a density of 0.96 g/cm³ (0.0347 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F). TPE has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi), weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 480% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0013 Msi).
What is TPE used for?
- Overmoulded tool and appliance grips
- Static seals and gaskets
- Automotive interior weatherstrip
- Cable jackets and strain reliefs
- Soft-touch consumer electronics surfaces
- Grommets and bellows
- Medical grips and tubing in MED/FDA grades
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 480%, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 70/100, better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 20/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (0.0013 Msi), worse than 81% of polymer grades
TPE properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPE-Shore A 30 to Shore A 90; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
TPE has a density of 0.96 g/cm³ (0.0347 lb/in³), lighter than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F).
Mechanical13
TPE has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi), weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 480% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0013 Msi).
Thermal10
TPE is rated for continuous service to 105°C (221 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 200 µm/m·K (111.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
TPE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is very good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPE takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
TPE's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability good (65/100); formability excellent (90/100).
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 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TPE
Is TPE easy to machine?
Soft grades smear and tear — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, water-jet or die-cutting; freeze fixturing helps on Shore A <60.
Can TPE be welded?
Hot-plate, hot-air and IR welding to itself and to PP work well; ultrasonic welding is unreliable because the soft phase damps energy — adhesive bonding needs primer or plasma/corona pre-treatment.
Can TPE be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 1–2 h at 70–80 °C if wet, melt 180–235 °C, mold 20–60 °C, use generous gates/short shot paths, expect 1–3 % shrinkage and design for 2K adhesion or mechanical interlock in overmolding.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to TPE. Every TPE part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
TPE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polypropylene (PP hard phase)continuous thermoplastic matrix; sets Tm and stiffness | 25 – 50 | 35 |
| paraffinic process oilsoftener; higher oil = lower Shore A and lower oil resistance | 5 – 35 | 17 |
| filler (talc / CaCO3 / ATH in FR grades)0 in natural grades; ATH used for halogen-free V-0 | 0 – 40 | 2 |
| additives (antioxidant, UV stabilizer, p | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| EPDM rubber (dynamically vulcanized) or elastic phase; EPDM/TPV for heat+set, SEBS for feel and cost | ≥ 30 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TPE?
Surface is defined by tool texture (EDM/laser texture reproduces well); no plating or anodizing — use in-mold color, laser marking or pad printing with elastomer-compatible inks.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Santoprene-like TPE
How much does TPE cost?
TPE is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TPE — frequently asked
What is TPE used for?
TPE is typically used for overmoulded tool and appliance grips, static seals and gaskets, automotive interior weatherstrip, cable jackets and strain reliefs, soft-touch consumer electronics surfaces and grommets and bellows. In short: rubber-like flexibility.
What is the tensile strength of TPE?
TPE has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is TPE easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Soft grades smear and tear — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with low feed, water-jet or die-cutting; freeze fixturing helps on Shore A <60.
Can TPE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Hot-plate, hot-air and IR welding to itself and to PP work well; ultrasonic welding is unreliable because the soft phase damps energy — adhesive bonding needs primer or plasma/corona pre-treatment.
What surface finishes work on TPE?
Surface is defined by tool texture (EDM/laser texture reproduces well); no plating or anodizing — use in-mold color, laser marking or pad printing with elastomer-compatible inks.
Can TPE be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 1–2 h at 70–80 °C if wet, melt 180–235 °C, mold 20–60 °C, use generous gates/short shot paths, expect 1–3 % shrinkage and design for 2K adhesion or mechanical interlock in overmolding.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPE?
TPE is rated for continuous use to about 105°C (221 °F), and briefly to 135°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TPE cost?
TPE is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in TPE?
Yes — TPE is available for injection molding; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ISO 18064 — Thermoplastic elastomers, nomenclature and abbreviated terms — ISO (2014)
- ASTM D412 / D2240 / D624 / D395 — tensile, durometer, tear, compression set of elastomers — ASTM (2021)
- Santoprene TPV product family data (8000/100 series) — ExxonMobil / Celanese (2023)
- THERMOLAST K / HIPEX TPE compound datasheets — KRAIBURG TPE (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics — TPE-V / TPE-S injection grades — CWFG (2024)
- Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers / ASM Engineering Plastics — Elsevier / ASM International (2007)
- TPE/TPV (2026)
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.