Thermoplastic Rubber TPU | Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer

The proportion of the hard and soft segments can be manipulated to produce a wide variety of hardness. A greater proportion of harder segments than soft, results in a more rigid TPU. This means its hardness can be highly customisable, as the TPU can be as soft as rubber (shore A 60) or as hard as rigid plastics (shore D72). The hard segments are isocyanates and can be classified in aliphatics (Polyether) or aromatic (Polyester) according to the type of isocyanate. The soft segments are comprised of reactive polyol. As well as the relationship between the hard and soft segments, the type of isocyanate and polyol are responsible for the properties of the TPU. The appearance and feel of the TPU is equally versatile, offering high elasticity and excellent resistance to abrasion, impact, and both high and low temperature thermoformability. It can be transparent or coloured, as well as soft to the touch, or provide adherence. As well as this capacity to adapt, the TPU can have various valuable physical properties, such as resistance to abrasion, optical clarity and durability.