TPE thermoplastic elastomers material badly discolored? Problems Answer

TPE thermoplastic elastomers are often used to make toys and tool handles. But whether it is the manufacturer, or the daily use of consumers, will encounter a problem that is obviously just made, just bought TPE products, with a period of time will fade, yellowing, lose the original luster. This is not only unattractive, but also easy to be taken as a quality problem. What's going on? Now, Zhongsuwang TPE editor to talk about the main reasons for fading.

The external environment - the most likely cause of color fading

This is the most common cause, mainly ultraviolet rays and high temperature. TPE thermoplastic elastomers substrate itself is very afraid of ultraviolet rays, if the long term in the sun under the sun, or in a bright light environment, the pigment molecules will be destroyed, especially light-colored TPE products, it is very easy to turn yellow, discoloration. In addition, long-term in a high-temperature environment, no matter there is no light, the pigment will be thermally decomposed, or react with the substrate, resulting in the color dimming, those poor temperature resistance of the pigment, no matter injection molding processing, or daily use, are particularly easy to deteriorate and fade.

Formulation problems - the composition does not match or precipitation occurs

TPE thermoplastic elastomers is not a single component material, is a variety of things mixed together, the formula is not good, it is easy to fade. For example, additives, softening oil and substrate incompatibility, after a period of time, these things will run out of the material, the surface of the formation of a layer of white frost, or adsorption of dust, the original color cover. There are also low hardness TPE, if you use poor quality softening oil, the oil will seep out, but also take away the inside of the color powder, resulting in uneven color, light.

Pigment and process - directly affect the color stability

Choose the right pigment, do a good job processing, in order to avoid fading. If you choose the common pigment with poor weather resistance, especially for outdoor products, the color will fade easily in the sun. Also, when injection molding, if the temperature is set too high and the material is put in the machine for too long, the color powder will be “burnt”, so it can't show the color, and sometimes there is a smell of degradation.

To summarize, TPE thermoplastic elastomers fade, mainly the environment, formula, pigment and processing technology of these four aspects of the problem. If you want to avoid this situation, you have to optimize the formula according to the environment of the product, choose the pigment with good weather resistance, and control the temperature during processing.

We, Zhongsuwang, have been making TPE thermoplastic elastomers for many years, and we can provide fade-resistant TPE materials suitable for all kinds of scenarios, which can help manufacturers to solve the problem of fading, and let the products keep their bright colors all the time.