What is TPU material? Characteristics, applications and how to distinguish

TPU - a material that is increasingly popular in today's life. So what is TPU , what are the outstanding features of this material and how is it applied in life? This article Shondo will answer in detail!

1. What is TPU material?

TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, also known as TPU plastic. This material was first discovered in the 1950s by BF Goodrich.

TPU belongs to the thermoplastic resin family, which is characterized by high elasticity, superior abrasion resistance and recyclability, contributing to environmental protection. Therefore, TPU is increasingly appearing widely in many different fields.

[caption id="attachment_6481" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TPU is a flexible, recyclable plastic[/caption]

2. Outstanding features of TPU material

So what are the characteristics of this "miracle" material that makes it so popular? Let's find out more!

2.1. Advantages

So what is the reason why TPU has become so popular? Let's explore the outstanding advantages of this material:

• Stretchy, elastic, good resistance: TPU has extremely good stretch and elasticity, can withstand strong impact without deformation.
• Anti-grease, liquid, easy to clean: The product surface is smooth, waterproof, grease and other liquids are resistant, easy to clean and hygienic.
• Abrasion-resistant, scratch-resistant: TPU has high abrasion-resistant and scratch-resistant properties, helping to protect the product surface from external impacts.
• Good heat resistance: This material can withstand high and low temperatures, without deformation or melting under extreme temperature conditions.
• High durability: TPU has high durability, long life, helping to save replacement and repair costs.
• Anti-oxidation, anti-yellowing: TPU has good anti-oxidation and anti-yellowing properties, helping the product always keep its fresh color.
• Easy to shape, easy to color: This material can be easily shaped and colored in a variety of ways, suitable for many different design requirements.
• Safe for users: This is a safe material, does not contain toxic substances, and is environmentally friendly due to its recyclability.

[caption id="attachment_6479" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TPU has good elasticity and strength[/caption]

2.2. Disadvantages

Besides its outstanding advantages, TPU also has certain limitations:

• Prone to discoloration: After a period of use, TPU may discolor, losing its original beauty.
• High manufacturing cost: Compared to some other plastics, the manufacturing cost of TPU is higher, making the product price also higher.
• Water quantity must be controlled during processing: During TPU processing, water quantity must be strictly controlled to ensure product quality.

[caption id="attachment_6480" align="aligncenter" width="800"] After a period of use, TPU will discolor[/caption]

3. Applications of TPU in life

Thanks to its outstanding advantages, TPU is widely used to produce many different products, contributing to improving the quality of life:

• Phone cases, phone covers: TPU is a popular material for making phone cases because of its shock-absorbing ability, effectively protecting the phone from impact and scratches.
• U-shaped pillow, sleeping pillow: Pillows made from TPU are soft, elastic, provide good neck support, and create a comfortable feeling when sleeping.
• Soles of sports shoes, soccer shoes, sandals , slides: TPU is used to produce shoe and sandal soles because of its elasticity, good friction, anti-slip, and smooth movement.
• Bicycle and motorbike handlebars: TPU handlebars are durable, anti-slip, increase friction, and create a feeling of firmness when holding.
• Noise-cancelling earplugs: TPU noise-cancelling earplugs provide comfort, good sound insulation, and effectively reduce noise.
• Cable jacket, waterproof membrane: TPU has high durability, water resistance, abrasion resistance, suitable for making cable jacket, waterproof membrane,...

[caption id="attachment_6478" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Cable jacket made from TPU[/caption]

4. Distinguish TPU from other materials

TPU is often confused with some other materials, especially TPE and TPR. Let's distinguish TPU from other materials with Shondo!

4.1. Distinguishing TPU from TPE

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), is a thermoplastic elastomer. In fact, TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a variant of TPE, which has higher hardness and is used in cases requiring superior strength and abrasion resistance.

[caption id="attachment_6477" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TPE is known as elastic plastic[/caption]

4.2. Distinguishing TPU from TPR

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a thermoplastic, while TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) is a thermoplastic rubber. TPU is usually transparent, while TPR can be made in a wider variety of colors.

[caption id="attachment_6476" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TPU is a thermoplastic rubber material[/caption]

5. Related questions

5.1. Is TPU material good?

TPU is a good material, possessing many outstanding advantages such as high durability, abrasion resistance, water resistance, safety for users and environmental friendliness. Therefore, TPU is widely used in many different production fields.

5.2. Is it safe to use products made from TPU?

You can feel completely secure when using TPU products. This material is safe for health, does not contain toxic substances, does not cause skin allergies and is environmentally friendly.

[caption id="attachment_6475" align="aligncenter" width="800"] TPU is completely safe for health[/caption]

5.3. Is TPU expensive?

TPU is more expensive than some other plastics due to its more complex manufacturing process and superior properties. However, the quality of TPU products is completely worth the cost.

5.4. Are the TPU in urine and TPU material the same?

TPU in urine is a protein, including two types: Albumin and Globulin, completely unrelated to TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) material used to manufacture various household items.

[caption id="attachment_6474" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The cost of TPU will be higher than some other plastics on the market[/caption]

TPU material has many outstanding advantages, is widely used in production and is increasingly popular in life. Hopefully, the article has provided useful information, helping you better understand what TPU material is and choose the right product for your needs.