Pharma
• Elastic bands, latex-free• Elastic cuff
• Elastic membranes
• Waterproof sleeve for limbs, e.g. to create a watertight seal over casts, catheters and wounds during showering, bathing or swimming.
Elastic and tough
TPE is one of the very few truly elastic plastic materials. This makes TPE ideal for applications requiring a combination of high elasticity, mechanical strength and a long lifetime. Typical applications are protective membranes, flexible couplings and pipes, and mechanical seals.
TPE is also an excellent material for elastic bands: the material always returns to the original shape after stretching.
Stretch with strength
The main advantage of TPE is the ability to recover its shape after deformation. TPE has excellent impact resistance, even at temperatures as low as -40°C (depending on the chemical structure).
Product format
The thickness of TPE film ranges from 0.1 to 3 mm; the width is from 3 to 1000 mm.
Resistance to heat and chemicals
The heat and chemical resistance increases with the hardness and stiffness of the TPE. The hardest types can briefly withstand 150°C. The maximum temperature for a prolonged period is approximately 80°C.
Soft, flexible feel
Pleasant tactile experience, suitable for ‘soft touch’ surfaces.
High chemical resistance
Resistant to widely-used cleaning agents and disinfectants, such as chlorine and alcohol solutions. The material can be cleaned in washing machines.
USP Class VI certification possible
TPEs meet the highest standards for medical approval. On request we can provide certificates for the compounds used in production.
Optional flame retardant properties
TPEs can be given extinguishing or flame-retardant properties. However, the addition of flame retardants strongly reduces the elasticity.
Good alternative to synthetic rubber
Unlike with synthetic rubber, the production of TPEs is free from emissions of harmful compounds such as PAHs. That makes TPEs a greener alternative for applications such as seals in drinking water systems, or as a filler on synthetic playing fields.
Ability to create textile with elastic TPE layer
You can apply a TPE layer to either or both sides of textiles. The textile is permanently bonded to the TPE film during the extrusion process. This way, materials can be constructed from multiple layers of polyester, fiberglass or other textiles.
Readily tinted
Vreeberg can produce TPE in many bright, vibrant colours – suitable for colour coding in the medical or construction sectors, for example, but also attractive for the design sector.
Batches of any size
TPEs can be produced in both large and small batches. By contrast, natural rubber products can often only be produced in very large quantities.
Do you need a durable, flexible plastic? Vreeberg also produces TPU: Thermoplastic Polyurethane.