Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) are a class of polymer materials that combine the elasticity of rubber with the processing advantages of thermoplastics. Based on chemical structure and performance characteristics, TPE materials can be classified into several major types. Among them, styrenic TPE (TPS), olefinic TPE (TPO/TPV), and diene-based TPE are the most widely used in industrial applications.
Styrenic Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPS)
Styrenic TPE, also known as TPS, is one of the earliest developed and most widely produced thermoplastic elastomers. It is based on block copolymers of styrene with butadiene or isoprene. The most representative material is SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene), whose mechanical behavior closely resembles SBR rubber.
SBS is extensively used in footwear, where it has largely replaced traditional rubber. It is also widely applied in industrial rubber sheets, hoses, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and asphalt modification. SBS-modified asphalt improves crack resistance, abrasion resistance, anti-slip properties, and temperature stability. Although SBS is relatively expensive, its excellent compatibility with asphalt ensures broad market adoption.
Hydrogenated grades such as SEBS and SEPS significantly improve heat resistance, weather resistance, and aging performance. These materials are widely used as impact modifiers for engineering plastics such as PA and PC, medical-grade materials, transparent elastomers, and weather-resistant polymer blends. However, traditional SBS and SIS materials have limited heat resistance, typically below 80°C.
Olefinic Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPO and TPV)
Olefinic TPE is mainly composed of polypropylene (PP) as the hard segment and EPDM rubber as the soft segment, commonly known as TPO. TPO has a low density (around 0.88), excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance, and heat resistance up to 100°C.
The development of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) marked a major breakthrough. TPV is produced through dynamic vulcanization, where fully crosslinked rubber particles are finely dispersed within the thermoplastic matrix. This structure significantly improves compression set, oil resistance, and heat aging resistance, allowing TPV to achieve performance levels comparable to CR rubber.
TPV is widely used in automotive seals, hoses, wire and cable insulation, air ducts, gaskets, and building sealing systems, and has largely replaced traditional rubber in many applications. Currently, TPO accounts for approximately 80–85% of olefinic TPE consumption, while TPV represents 15–20%, with rapid growth momentum.
Diene-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers
Diene-based TPE mainly includes thermoplastic trans-polyisoprene (TPI) and thermoplastic polybutadiene (TPB). TPI is structurally similar to natural gutta-percha and exhibits high crystallinity, good mechanical strength, and shape memory properties. It is used in orthopedic devices, protective sports equipment, and specialty films.
TPB offers excellent transparency, weather resistance, electrical insulation, and controlled degradability. A key advantage of diene-based TPE is that it can be vulcanized, improving heat resistance, oil resistance, and durability-an ability that most TPE materials lack.