TPR vs TPE: What Are The Big Differences?

Are you confused about TPR and TPE? Let me help you! These are two types of soft plastic that feel like rubber. At Istar Machining, we use both in our . I will tell you what makes them different and when to use each one.

What is TPR?

TPR means Thermoplastic Rubber. It is a kind of plastic that feels like rubber. TPR is:

• Hard (Shore A 60-95)
• Strong when you rub it
• Tough for many jobs
• Not very bendy when it is cold

TPR is great for making car parts, tool grips, and shoe bottoms.

What is TPE?

TPE means Thermoplastic Elastomer. It is a big family of soft plastics. TPE has:

• Soft feel (Shore A 10-80)
• Super stretchy
• Works in hot and cold places
• Bounces back to its shape

TPE is perfect for medical tools, phone cases, and soft grips.

TPR vs TPE: Side by Side

Let’s look at how they are different:

Which One Should You Pick?

Pick TPR if:

• You need something that won’t wear down
• You don’t have a lot of money to spend
• You need tough parts for hard work

Pick TPE if:

• You need something very soft
• You make medical tools
• You need parts with funny shapes
• Your parts need to bend a lot

Real Jobs for TPR and TPE

TPR is Used For:

1. Car door seals
2. Shoe bottoms
3. Tool handles
4. Parts that stop shaking

Did you know? 70% of car seals use TPR because it costs less! [^1]

TPE is Used For:

1. Medical tubes
2. Phone cases
3. Kitchen tools
4. Toys

Big fact: TPE is in 85% of medical tubes because it’s safe for bodies! [^2]

Money and Making

At Istar Machining, we know cost matters. Here’s what you pay:

• TPR: About $2.79 per kg
• TPE: $2.50-$5.00 per kg [^3]

TPR is quick to make. TPE needs more careful work.

Our cnc prototype machining team can help you pick the right one for your job.

Earth-Friendly Facts

People care more about helping the earth now. Look at these facts:

• We can recycle 30-40% of TPR
• We can recycle 70-80% of TPE [^4]

More companies pick TPE for green projects. At Istar Machining, we use our cnc plastic skills to make parts that are good for the earth.

How They Feel

TPR is harder but still bendy. Think of a car door seal or a tough grip.

TPE is super soft and bouncy. It feels like the soft part of your phone case.

Hot and Cold Facts

When it gets very cold:

• TPR gets stiff at -40°C
• TPE stays bendy even at -60°C [^5]

When it gets very hot:

• TPR works up to 90°C
• TPE can handle up to 135°C

This is why TPE is better for things that must work in very hot or cold places.

Making Things with TPR and TPE

At Istar Machining, we can make parts from both TPR and TPE. We use cnc milling to shape these materials.

How We Make TPR Parts:

1. We pick the right TPR mix
2. We heat it up
3. We push it into a shape
4. It cools and gets hard

How We Make TPE Parts:

1. We pick the right TPE type
2. We watch the heat very closely
3. We make the shape
4. We check that it’s soft enough

Which One Lasts Longer?

TPE is better at keeping its shape when you pull it a lot. This is called creep resistance. TPR can slowly change shape if you keep pulling it.

That’s why we use rubber cnc machining for TPE parts that need to bounce back over and over.

Special Jobs

Medical Parts

TPE is the star for medical parts because:

• It’s safe for bodies
• It can be super clean
• It stays soft in body heat

That’s why 85% of medical tubes use TPE! [^2]

Car Parts

Both TPR and TPE work in cars, but:

• TPR is great for door seals and gaskets
• TPE is perfect for dash parts you touch

Istar Machining has worked with many car makers to make these parts just right.

Questions People Ask

Making the Right Choice

When you need to pick between TPR and TPE, think about:

1. How soft do you need it?
2. Will it be in hot or cold places?
3. Do you need it to last a long time?
4. How much money can you spend?
5. Does it need to be safe for bodies?

At Istar Machining, our precision cnc machining team helps you pick the right one.

Special Types of TPE

TPE has many family members like:

• SBS – Great for shoe bottoms
• TPV – Super good in hot places
• TPU – Super tough and bendy
• COPE – Works great in cars
• TPO – Good for big parts

Each one is a bit different for special jobs.

The Big Picture

TPR is a simple thermoplastic rubber. TPE is a big family of soft plastics.

Think of it like this:

• TPR is like one kind of dog
• TPE is like all dogs of many types

Making Big Choices

At Istar Machining, we help you test TPR and TPE before making lots of parts. Our custom cnc machining team can make test pieces for you.

This helps you:

• Feel how soft it is
• Test how it works in hot and cold
• See if it’s strong enough
• Check if it’s the right color

New and Cool Ideas

People are making better TPR and TPE all the time.

New stuff includes:

• TPE that kills germs
• TPR that uses less oil
• TPE made from plants
• TPR that is easier to recycle

Last Words

Now you know the big differences between TPR and TPE!

• TPR is harder, costs less, and is good for tough jobs
• TPE is softer, more bendy, and better for bodies

At Istar Machining, we work with both TPR and TPE to make the perfect parts for you. Our team helps you pick the right one for your job.

Need help with your TPR or TPE project? Talk to our team about how our cnc machining service can help make your ideas real!

[^1]: Data from industry research showing TPR dominates automotive seals due to cost efficiency. [^2]: Medical industry data showing TPE’s prevalence in medical tubing applications. [^3]: Average material costs in 2023 for industrial applications. [^4]: Environmental sustainability data on recyclability rates for thermoplastic elastomers. [^5]: Temperature performance data from material specification sheets.