TPV A73
Hardness band · default condition
JIS K6418 · GB GB/T 20028
A73 = shore A 73
Pick as the baseline hardness for seals, grommets and overmolded grips — Shore A 73 balances 8.4 MPa tensile, 450 % elongation and sealing compliance with the widest processing window.
Values for the A73 condition
Other TPV grades and fills
TPV is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at TPV.
Compare all 12 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foamable / low-density extrusion grade | Pick the chemically or gas-foamed extrusion grade at 0.55 density for lightweight sponge window seals with low closing force, accepting 2.5 MPa tensile and 220 % elongation. | — | 3 | 220 | 10 Shore D |
Shore A 35 | Pick the ultra-soft Shore A35 grade for low closing-force sealing lips, soft-touch overmolds and low-pressure seals; 2.6 MPa tensile with service to 110 °C. | — | 3 | 300 | 35 Shore A |
Shore A 55 | Choose Shore A55 for soft seals and vibration-damping parts that need compliance together with tear strength; 4.1 MPa tensile and 115 °C service temperature. | — | 4 | 380 | 55 Shore A |
Overmolding / bondable soft-touch grade | Choose the bondable soft-touch grade for two-shot overmolding — self-adhering to PP and, when modified, to PA or PC-ABS — trading tensile down to 5 MPa for adhesion to the rigid substrate. | — | 5 | 400 | 16 Shore D |
Shore A 64 | Use Shore A64 as the mid-hardness choice for automotive weatherstrip bodies and gaskets; 5.6 MPa tensile, 400 % elongation and service to 120 °C. | — | 6 | 400 | 18 Shore D |
Flame-retardant TPV, halogen-free UL 94 V-0 | Choose the halogen-free UL 94 V-0 compound for cable jacketing and rail or appliance seals; the flame-retardant loading raises density to 1.12 and cuts elongation to 300 % and service temp to 110 °C. | — | 7 | 300 | 28 Shore D |
Conductive / antistatic TPV | Use the carbon-black or CNT-filled conductive version for static-dissipative seal strips, roller covers and grounding elements; the filler limits tensile to 7 MPa and elongation to 250 %. | — | 7 | 250 | 28 Shore D |
A73DefaultThis page Shore A 73 | Pick as the baseline hardness for seals, grommets and overmolded grips — Shore A 73 balances 8.4 MPa tensile, 450 % elongation and sealing compliance with the widest processing window. | — | 8 | 450 | 73 Shore A |
Oil-resistant TPV | Use the NBR-based oil-resistant type instead of the EPDM-based one for seals and boots contacting mineral oil, fuel or grease, accepting a lower 100 °C maximum service temperature. | — | 9 | 320 | 28 Shore D |
Shore A 87 | Choose Shore A 87 when seals, boots and snap-fit elastic parts need higher stiffness, wear and extrusion resistance; 12.5 MPa tensile comes at the cost of softness and sealing compliance. | — | 13 | 530 | 34 Shore D |
Shore D 40 | Use this semi-rigid Shore D 40 (≈ Shore A 92) level for CVJ boots, bellows and stiff seal carriers, where 0.12 GPa modulus and 18 MPa tensile matter more than low closing force. | — | 18 | 600 | 40 Shore D |
Shore D 50 | Pick the hardest commercial level, Shore D 50 with 24 MPa tensile and 0.25 GPa modulus, for impact-resistant rigid parts, paint-free bumper inserts and hard substrates in hard/soft coextrusion. | — | 24 | 550 | 50 Shore D |
What is TPV A73?
TPV A73 is TPV heat treated to A73 — pick as the baseline hardness for seals, grommets and overmolded grips — Shore A 73 balances 8.4 MPa tensile, 450 % elongation and sealing compliance with the widest processing window. TPV A73 has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.22 ksi), weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 450% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0022 Msi). TPV A73 has a density of 0.97 g/cm³ (0.035 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 450%, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 25/100, worse than 90% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0022 Msi), worse than 77% of polymer grades
TPV A73 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPV A73; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are TPV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
TPV A73 has a density of 0.97 g/cm³ (0.035 lb/in³), lighter than 73% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -55°C (-67 °F).
Mechanical11
TPV A73 has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.22 ksi), weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 450% and the elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0022 Msi).
Thermal10
TPV A73 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TPV A73 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 82% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPV A73 takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
TPV A73's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with TPV A73
Is TPV easy to machine?
Soft and tacky: use sharp single-edge tools, waterjet, or cryogenic (dry ice / liquid nitrogen) trimming. Die-cutting requires keen edges to avoid torn flanks.
Can TPV be welded?
Hot-plate, infrared, hot-gas and, for harder grades, ultrasonic welding all work. It self-bonds to PP in co-extrusion and two-shot moulding; bonding to PA or PC-ABS needs a dedicated bonding grade or mechanical interlock.
Can TPV be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 190-230 °C melt and 20-60 °C tool, with 80 °C drying for 2-3 h before processing. Shrinkage is anisotropic at 1.2-3 %; viscosity drops sharply under high shear, which suits thin-wall fast fill. Extrusion needs a 30:1 L/D screw and rapid water-bath sizing.
What surface finishes work on TPV?
The surface is a matte rubber texture that is coloured with masterbatch. Not platable; flame or plasma treat before painting or printing. Laser marking works, using a white laser additive on black parts.
TPV 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 matrix)continuous phase, sets melting point and processability | 25 – 45 | 32 |
| EPDM rubber (dynamically vulcanized)crosslinked rubber domains, 1-5 um | 30 – 55 | 42 |
| paraffinic extender oilplasticizer, lowers hardness | 10 – 30 | 20 |
| curative (phenolic resin or Si-H/Pt syst | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| clay / talc / CaCO3 filler | 0 – 12 | 3 |
| antioxidant, UV stabilizer, pigment (car | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
TPV A73 — frequently asked
What is TPV A73 used for?
TPV A73 is typically used for automotive weatherseals, glass run channels, soft grips, appliance gaskets and plumbing seals. In short: EPDM replacement, reprocessable; best compression set in TPE family; self-bonds to polypropylene.
What is the tensile strength of TPV A73?
TPV A73 has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.22 ksi) — weaker than 80% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is TPV A73 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades). Soft and tacky: use sharp single-edge tools, waterjet, or cryogenic (dry ice / liquid nitrogen) trimming. Die-cutting requires keen edges to avoid torn flanks.
Can TPV A73 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Hot-plate, infrared, hot-gas and, for harder grades, ultrasonic welding all work. It self-bonds to PP in co-extrusion and two-shot moulding; bonding to PA or PC-ABS needs a dedicated bonding grade or mechanical interlock.
What surface finishes work on TPV A73?
The surface is a matte rubber texture that is coloured with masterbatch. Not platable; flame or plasma treat before painting or printing. Laser marking works, using a white laser additive on black parts.
Can TPV A73 be formed, bent or molded?
Injection mould at 190-230 °C melt and 20-60 °C tool, with 80 °C drying for 2-3 h before processing. Shrinkage is anisotropic at 1.2-3 %; viscosity drops sharply under high shear, which suits thin-wall fast fill. Extrusion needs a 30:1 L/D screw and rapid water-bath sizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPV A73?
TPV A73 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F), and briefly to 145°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 18064 Thermoplastic elastomers — Nomenclature and abbreviated terms — ISO (2014)
- JIS K6418 Thermoplastic rubbers — Nomenclature and abbreviations — JSA (2007)
- ASTM D6821 / D412 / D395 / D624 test methods for TPV physical properties — ASTM (2021)
- Santoprene TPV 101 / 103 series product data sheets and processing guide — Celanese (ex-ExxonMobil) (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector TPE-V datasets — CWFG / UL (2024)
- Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers (Drobny) — dynamic vulcanization chapter — Elsevier (2014)
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.