How to soften TPE raw materials?

I believe everyone is familiar with TPE raw materials, which are widely used in our daily life. Because TPE raw materials have excellent softness and anti-slip properties, they are compounded with PP, ABS, PS, PA, and other materials for injection molding and overmolding. Improve the comfort of the product. So do you know how to soften TPE raw materials? Let's follow the editor of Shenzhen Zhongsuwang TPE to take a look!

TPE raw materials can be softened by the following methods:

1. Adjust the formula ratio:

The hardness of TPE materials is mainly determined by the ratio of elastomers and thermoplastic resins in its formula. By increasing the proportion of elastomers or reducing the proportion of thermoplastic resins, the hardness of the material can be effectively reduced, making it softer.

2. Choose a suitable elastomer:

Different elastomers have different hardness ranges. Choosing an elastomer with lower hardness as the main component of the formula can significantly reduce the overall hardness of the TPE material.

3. Add plasticizer:

Adding an appropriate amount of plasticizer to the TPE formula can increase the plasticity of the material and make it softer. However, it should be noted that the amount of plasticizer added should be controlled within a reasonable range so as not to affect other properties of the material.

Adjusting the processing temperature:

During the processing, appropriately increasing the processing temperature can make the TPE material melt and flow better, thereby reducing its hardness to a certain extent. However, too high a processing temperature may cause the material to decompose, so it needs to be strictly controlled.

4. Post-processing process:

For some TPE products, the hardness can be further adjusted through subsequent heat treatment or stretching processes to achieve the required softness.

In short, to soften the TPE raw material, it can be achieved by adjusting the formula ratio, selecting a suitable elastomer, adding plasticizers, adjusting the processing temperature, and post-processing processes. In practical applications, appropriate methods should be selected for adjustment and optimization according to specific product requirements and material characteristics. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to the mutual influence between various methods to ensure that the adjusted TPE material can meet the product's use requirements and maintain good comprehensive performance.