TPUs allow industries to mainly benefit from the following combination of properties :
Abrasion/Scratch Resistance
High abrasion and scratch resistance ensure durability and aesthetic value
When abrasion and scratch resistance are critical for an application like automotive interior parts, sports and leisure applications or technical parts, as well as specialty cables, TPUs give excellent results compare to other thermoplastic materials.
Comparative results of such a test as depicted in the figure above, clearly show the superior abrasion resistance of TPU when compared to other materials, such as PVC and rubbers.
UV Resistance
Aliphatic TPUs ensure color fastness to your aesthetic parts. They show a superior stability to ultraviolet radiation and thus superior color stability, while maintaining good mechanical properties.
Aliphatic TPU have exactly the right property profile and versatility to make it the material of choice for electronic applications. For both light & dark color parts, OEMs can rely on TPU's high scratch resistance & UV performance.
» Check Out Commercial TPU Grades for Electronic Components
Highly Breathable TPU Ensures Optimum Comfort
Whether your design is in sportswear, footwear or building and construction products, highly breathable TPU are available to ensure optimum comfort.
Unlike traditional TPU which typically have a vapor transmission below 1 500 g./m2/day,highly breathable grades have values as high as 10 000 g./m2/day (+560%). Traditional TPU can be blended with breathable ones to fine-tune the breathability according to your application requirements.
Combination of High Transparency with Abrasion Resistance
Crystal-clear TPU are available with very good hardness. This characteristic allow the use of TPU in the extrusion of transparent films & tubes and hoses, or in the injection molding of technical, aesthetic parts, where transparency at a thickness as high as 6mm can be achieved.
Other Benefits of TPU
1. High elasticity across the entire hardness range
2. Excellent low-temperature and impact strength
3. Resilience to oils, greases and numerous solvents
4. Good flexibility over a wide temperature range
5. Robust weather and high-energy radiation resistance
Thermoplastic polyurethanes are elastic and melt-processable. Additives can improve dimensional stability and heat resistance, reduce friction, and increase flame retardancy, fungus resistance, and weatherability.
Aromatic TPUs are strong, general-purpose resins that resist attack by microbes, stand up well to chemicals. An aesthetic drawback, however, is the tendency of aromatics degrade by free radical pathways induced by exposure to heat or ultraviolet light. This degradation leads to product discoloration and loss of physical properties.
Additives such as antioxidants, UV absorbers, hindered amine stabilizers are used to protect polyurethanes from UV light-induced oxidation and hence make thermoplastic polyurethanes suitable for wide range of applications that may require both thermal and/or light stability.
Aliphatic TPU, on the other hand, are inherently light stable and resist discoloration from UV exposure. They are also optically clear, which makes them suitable laminates for encapsulating glass and security glazings.
Other specialty grades include:
A.Reinforced TPU – When mixed with glass or mineral fillers/fibers, it becomes a structural engineering polymer with desirable properties of abrasion resistance, high impact strength, good fuel resistance, and high flow characteristics
B. Flame Retardancy – Flame retardant TPU grades are widely used to provide tear resistance and toughness for cable jacketing
Soft Touch/High Comfort of Use for Ergonomic Applications
Recent developments have made it possible to produce plasticizer-free TPU in the hardness range of 55 to 80 Shore A.
These solutions offer a high quality surface finish, excellent adhesion to engineering plastics such as ABS and Nylon, as well as unequalled scratch and abrasion resistance.
Post time: Jun-30-2022
