TPU-Caprolactone
ISO 18064 TPU-C
TPU-Caprolactone is a polycaprolactone-polyol thermoplastic polyurethane that combines the oil and abrasion resistance of polyester TPU with hydrolysis resistance closer to polyether types, offered as NAT, 80A, 90A, 95A and 55D plus FR-V0, UV, MED/FDA, ESD and solution (SOL) grades.
Reference datasheet — TPU-Caprolactone 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.
TPU-Caprolactone grades and fills
TPU-Caprolactone is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flame retardant, halogen-free | Pick for cable jackets, industrial connectors and rail/E&E parts requiring UL 94 V-0 at 1.5–3 mm. | 30 | 380 | 37 Shore D | |
Antistatic / ESD conductive | Carbon-black or ionic-antistat compound for fuel-line covers, mining belts and ESD-safe hoses and rollers. | 35 | 400 | 38 Shore D | |
Solution / adhesive & coating grade | Linear, solvent-soluble (MEK/DMF/THF) high-molecular-weight TPU-C for shoe adhesives, laminating films and textile coatings. | 35 | 650 | 28 Shore D | |
Shore 80A | Choose for flexible tubing, soft films and adhesive/laminating layers needing high elongation. | 38 | 620 | 29 Shore D | |
Shore 90A | Best all-round abrasion/oil grade for rollers, seals, conveyor components and shoe soles. | 50 | 500 | 38 Shore D | |
Shore 95A | For high-load wear parts, wheels, hydraulic seals and stiff jacketing where creep resistance matters. | 55 | 450 | 46 Shore D | |
Shore 55D | Semi-rigid grade for ski boots, gears, couplings and structural wear parts needing stiffness plus toughness. | 55 | 380 | 55 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TPU-Caprolactone 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 grade | Certification |
MED | Medical grade | Certification |
UV | UV / weather stabilized | Grade option |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural | Standard supply |
What is TPU-Caprolactone?
TPU-Caprolactone is a polycaprolactone-polyol thermoplastic polyurethane that combines the oil and abrasion resistance of polyester TPU with hydrolysis resistance closer to polyether types, offered as NAT, 80A, 90A, 95A and 55D plus FR-V0, UV, MED/FDA, ESD and solution (SOL) grades. It is specified where both wet and oily exposure occur, and in adhesive, coating, film and cable insulation forms; the default grade shows 45 MPa tensile strength, 550 % elongation, 0.025 GPa modulus and service to 85 °C. There is no grade standard on file, and availability is narrower than for ester or ether TPU. Where only one of the two resistances matters, TPU-Ester or TPU-Ether is the simpler choice. TPU-Caprolactone has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F). TPU-Caprolactone has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 550% and the elastic modulus is 0.03 GPa (0.0036 Msi).
What is TPU-Caprolactone used for?
- hot-melt adhesives
- coatings
- specialty films
- cable insulation
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 550%, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.6%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
TPU-Caprolactone properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
TPU-Caprolactone has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -50°C (-58 °F).
Mechanical8
TPU-Caprolactone has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 550% and the elastic modulus is 0.03 GPa (0.0036 Msi).
Thermal9
TPU-Caprolactone is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 175 µm/m·K (97.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
TPU-Caprolactone is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 61% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPU-Caprolactone takes about 125 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
TPU-Caprolactone's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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. TPU-Caprolactone is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TPU-Caprolactone
Is TPU-Caprolactone easy to machine?
Machinable only on rigid (55D+) grades with sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed; soft grades smear and need freezing or water-jet/die cutting.
Can TPU-Caprolactone be welded?
Excellent HF (dielectric), ultrasonic, hot-plate and hot-air welding; solvent bonding with DMF/THF blends and polyurethane adhesives works well.
Can TPU-Caprolactone be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–3 h at 100–110 °C to <0.02 % moisture, inject at 190–225 °C melt / 20–50 °C mold, avoid shear-degradation and long residence times; extrudable into film, tube and profile.
TPU-Caprolactone 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polycaprolactone diol (soft segment)PCL polyol, typ. Mn 1000–2000 g/mol; source of hydrolysis/microbial resistance | 50 – 70 | 60 |
| 4,4'-MDI (diisocyanate)aromatic; TDI/HDI/H12MDI used for light-stable variants | 22 – 35 | 29 |
| 1,4-butanediol (chain extender)forms hard segment with MDI | 5 – 12 | 9 |
| additives (waxes, antioxidant, UV, FR, pprocess aids and stabilizers | 0.2 – 3 | 1 |
What surface finishes work on TPU-Caprolactone?
Takes PU-based paints, flock and printing after corona/flame or primer treatment; can be textured directly in the mold, but polishing to a high gloss is limited by its elastomeric surface.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPU-Caprolactone in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- 18064 TPU-C
- Also called
- TPU-C
How much does TPU-Caprolactone cost?
TPU-Caprolactone is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TPU-Caprolactone — frequently asked
What is TPU-Caprolactone used for?
TPU-Caprolactone is typically used for hot-melt adhesives, coatings, specialty films and cable insulation. In short: balanced ester/ether TPU; highest TPU service temperature; adhesive and coating grade.
What is the tensile strength of TPU-Caprolactone?
TPU-Caprolactone has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is TPU-Caprolactone easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades). Machinable only on rigid (55D+) grades with sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed; soft grades smear and need freezing or water-jet/die cutting.
Can TPU-Caprolactone be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent HF (dielectric), ultrasonic, hot-plate and hot-air welding; solvent bonding with DMF/THF blends and polyurethane adhesives works well.
What surface finishes work on TPU-Caprolactone?
Takes PU-based paints, flock and printing after corona/flame or primer treatment; can be textured directly in the mold, but polishing to a high gloss is limited by its elastomeric surface.
Can TPU-Caprolactone be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–3 h at 100–110 °C to <0.02 % moisture, inject at 190–225 °C melt / 20–50 °C mold, avoid shear-degradation and long residence times; extrudable into film, tube and profile.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPU-Caprolactone?
TPU-Caprolactone is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TPU-Caprolactone cost?
TPU-Caprolactone is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 — ISO (2014)
- ISO 37 / ISO 868 / ISO 34-1 / ISO 815 — rubber test methods — ISO (2019)
- Elastollan C-series (polycaprolactone TPU) product range and processing guide — BASF Polyurethanes (2023)
- Desmopan / Texin TPU selection and processing data — Covestro (2023)
- CAPA polycaprolactone polyols for TPU technical brochure — Perstorp (2022)
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics database — TPU (ester) property sets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (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.