Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE)

Last Updated: June 24, 2019

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Definition - What does Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE) mean?

Thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE) is an elastomer that also has properties of plastics. It is made of a mix of plastic and rubber polymers. This material is commonly used in sex toys. It is free of phthalates, latex and is non-porous. As a result, it is widely considered to be a body-safe material.

Thermoplastic elastomer may also be known as thermoplastic rubber (TPR).

Kinkly explains Thermo-Plastic Elastomer (TPE)

A thermo-plastic elastomer has three essential properties:

  1. The ability to stretch but still be able to return to near its original shape
  2. The ability to be processed at a high temperature as a liquid
  3. The absence of significant "creep," meaning that even under stress, a thermoplastic elastomer will maintain its solid shape

Thermo-plastics can be reused in many cases since at high temperatures they lose their shape and can be remoulded into another solid form.

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