Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) injection molded polymers include SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) and SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene block polymer). TPE Polymers offer excellent slip resistance and anti-tear properties. Overall, TPE Polymers exhibit exceptional qualities in terms of durability.
Thermoplastic Elastomers are soft to the touch, which makes injection-molded TPE an ideal compound for consumer goods. Poly Labs manufactured the TPE toy ball, meant for dogs, as seen below. We partnered with our client to deliver a two-shot injection molded TPE product that is both buoyant and bouncy.
Injection Molded TPE Types: SEBS vs. SBS
SEBS is an important thermoplastic elastomer, and behaves similarly to rubber. It is strong, while also flexible.
SBS block polymer is a harder rubber-type TPE and is often used in applications where durability and traction are of the utmost importance. It is often used in soles of shoes or overshoes. Seen below is an example of overshoe produced for one of our long time customers, which consists of a molded Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE). It also features multiple steel inserts for traction on ice.
SEBS type TPE
Poly Labs offers commercially available SEBS type TPE that exhibits high tensile strength and elongation. Our thermoplastic elastomers offer excellent recovery qualities. Our TPE 982 Colors are designed for strapped overshoes.
| Density | 0.9 (+/- 0.03) g/cm³ |
| Hardness, Shore A | 37 (+/- 5) |
| Tensile Strength | > 800 psi |
| Elongation | > 700 % |
| Die C Tear Resistance | > 150 p/i |
| Taber Abrasion Resistance | < 700 mg (loss per 1,000 cycles) |
SBS type TPE
Poly Labs manufactures commercially available SBS type TPE that exhibits excellent overall durability. Most notably, it offers slip resistance for footwear outsole applications. Our TPE 254 can come in any color and exhibit the following properties:
| Density | 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm³ |
| Hardness, Shore A | 58 (+/- 5) |
| Tensile Strength | > 550 psi |
| Elongation | > 450 % |
| Die C Tear Resistance | > 140 p/i |
| Taber Abrasion Resistance | < 800 mg (loss per 1,000 cycles) |
Typical TPE Products
Thermoplastic elastomer products can include over-molded metal or plastic inserts. Typically, we manufacture the following products made of TPE:
- Footwear (insoles, outsoles, midsoles)
- Static Dissipating Bootsoles
- Anti-Slip Overshoe Accessories
- Industrial Products
- Toys for both children and pets
For more information about our thermoplastic elastomers and molded polymers (SBS type TPE, SEBS type TPE) please contact our sales team.