<h1>Thermoplastic Polyurethane 101</h1>

Today we are going to learn all about thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU for short. We will learn exactly what it is, what are its advantages and disadvantages and include just some of the many products you can find TPU material in across a wide range of industries.

So what is TPU material? TPU is a material that is like a bridge between both plastic and rubber. Why think plastic vs rubber, when you can combine the best elements of the two! It is extremely rubber-like in appearance, possessing similar properties of rubber too. Meaning it is flexible, durable and also smooth to touch. These properties make the material highly versatile for many industries, including consumer goods, coatings and components. Along with this, it is a great choice for those who wish to use injection molding or printing TPU with 3D printing.

But it is fundamentally a thermoplastic, meaning that it is a plastic that can be melted down multiple times and re-used again and again. Unlike a thermoset, which can only be used once. So polyurethane plastic is special, in that it behaves like a rubber material but has the reusability and recyclability of a plastic. There is also high customisability with regards to TPU meaning that it can be as soft as a rubber or as hard as a plastic, depending on the needs of the product built&nbsp;with TPU materials.

What is a TPU? Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is like a bridge between both plastic and rubber. TPU polymer can be customized to be as hard as one or as soft as the other.

<img alt="TPU Head Image" src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/products-from-polyurethane-on-the-exhibition-stand-industry-picture-id1203061893?b=1&amp;k=20&amp;m=1203061893&amp;s=170667a&amp;w=0&amp;h=kzP-O4RwDldVhD20Fev0X4XUgSVeiqkIS2jZcjY_hIc=" style="height:339px; width:509px" />

<h2>Advantages of Thermoplastic Polyurethane</h2>

Polyurethane material has a wide set of advantages, which is why is it so readily chosen as a plastic for many types of components. One of the best advantages of TPU plastic is just how resistant it is. Resistant to water, oxygen, ozone, flame, aging, oil, chemical and solvent. As previously mentioned, because it is also very rubber-like, it also has high elasticity, but also great strength and good tactile properties, making it smooth to touch. It can be sterilized too, making it a good option for food packaging and the medical field. TPU filament is highly transparent but it can be easily coloured too, for extra customizability.

Polyurethane properties make it highly resistant to many variables. Combined with the fact that it can be readily sterilized. This makes material TPU a great choice of plastic in the medical field.

<img alt="TPU Medical Image" src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/3845126/pexels-photo-3845126.jpeg?auto=compress&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;dpr=2&amp;h=650&amp;w=940" style="height:1253px; width:1880px" />

<h2>Disadvantages of Thermoplastic Polyurethane</h2>

While it has some great advantages, there are a few drawbacks to this incredible plastic and rubber fabric. Throughout all of the manufacturing process, TPU requires particular manufacturing conditions to be met for it to be produced, making it one of the less readily available manufacturing methods on the market. Some of &nbsp;thermoplastic polyurethanes grades have short life cycles. The cost of the material itself is higher, compared to other materials like that of PVC and clear TPU eventually ends up yellowing and cannot be reversed, so many opt to colour this material.

Is polyurethane rubber? Is polyurethane plastic? It&rsquo;s a thermoplastic. But it has the properties of a rubber. Polyurethane rubber is a great material if you require something that can stretch, feel great, and be extremely resistant in all kinds of conditions. Chances are, when you think of a moldable rubber that hardens, you are thinking of TPU!

<img alt="TPU Third Image" src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/engineering-plastics-plastic-material-used-in-manufacturing-industry-picture-id1186872718?b=1&amp;k=20&amp;m=1186872718&amp;s=170667a&amp;w=0&amp;h=T5ijMFCzCanSUuj4dDCts1SNLyEUTIUuiQOUBhtKHus=" style="height:320px; width:538px" />

<h2>Products of Thermoplastic Polyurethane</h2>

Because TPU polycarbonate has a wide range of benefits it can be used across many industries. Let us take a look at just some of the products you can find TPU is used in:

<ul>
	<li>Thermoplastic polyurethane phone case</li>
	<li>TPU screen protector</li>
	<li>TPU film</li>
	<li>TPU laminate</li>
	<li>Castor wheels</li>
	<li>Hoses and tubes</li>
	<li>Power tools</li>
	<li>TPU fabric</li>
	<li>Polyurethane plastic sheet</li>
	<li>Footwear</li>
	<li>Sports equipment</li>
	<li>Automotive parts and drive belts</li>
	<li>TPU studs</li>
	<li>Seals</li>
	<li>Medical tubes and devices</li>
	<li>Food processing tools</li>
</ul>

Hard or soft TPU material can be used in a wide array of applications. From a TPU case to TPU lamination. From TPU rubber outsoles on your sports shoes to TPU coating on your power tools with soft TPU. Chances are if you wonder &ldquo;Can TPU be used in this product&rdquo;, it likely can. 

<img alt="TPU Shoe Image" src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/1456706/pexels-photo-1456706.jpeg?auto=compress&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;dpr=2&amp;h=650&amp;w=940" style="height:1253px; width:1880px" />

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

Today we learned all about TPU! We learned how to define polyurethane, as in what does TPU stand for. We looked at polyurethane structure, examining what it can do and some of its main advantages and disadvantages. We also looked at some of the products we can often find TPU used in.

We here at Shineyuu know all about TPU. In fact, we know a lot about all kinds of plastic materials, since we are an injection molding company! &nbsp;If you are thinking about if your next project should include TPU, wish to know more about TPU price, or are not sure which plastic is best to use simply&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/contact">contact us and request a quote</a>, or indeed you can ask us any questions and we will be more than happy to assist you in any way we can!

If you enjoyed the article make sure you take a look at some of our other posts on many other materials and topics, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/learn-about-injection-mold-tooling">Injection Mold Tooling</a>, <a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/what-is-thermoplastic-rubber">What is&nbsp;Thermoplastic Rubber</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/picking-polystyrene">Picking Polystyrene</a>&nbsp;for more great information.

Learn all about thermoplastic polyurethane, otherwise known as TPU. Find out its advantages and disadvantages and why you should consider it.

Learn all about TPU and why it could be the next plastic for you.

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Thermoplastic Polyurethane 101

<h1>Injection Mold Tooling</h1>

In this article&nbsp;we are going to cover a selection of injection mold tooling that we here at Shineyuu use, an injection molding company. The aim is to provide you with a better understanding of how exactly injection mold works and to give you a better understanding of the injection moulding process step by step. We can do this by learning the ins and outs of the tools and machinery at our disposal. Let&rsquo;s take a look at some of the plastic moulding tooling and machinery&nbsp;below:

<h2>The Injection Mold</h2>

First let us start with an injection mold. An injection mold is a custom machined tool which is used during plastic injection molding. Manufacturers then custom build these molds for customers to create their plastic product.

While there are several varieties, the most common variation of an injection molding tool is a two-plate mold. A tool that molds to any shape. As the name implies, this plastic tooling consists of two parts, the injection mold and the ejector mold. The injection mold plate is the entry point where the molten plastic is poured. This entry point is known as the sprue bushing on an injection mold. The melted plastic flows down this sprue, through runners, then on to the cavity, or shape of the mold itself. This shape in the mold is what will ultimately decide how the product will look upon completion, when the plastic hardens. Injection molds can have a single cavity, or can be a multi cavity mold.&nbsp;

An important part of design for injection molding is creating the 2-plate mold. This mold seen below, includes both an injection mold and an ejector mold and is one of the most important tools for molding. This particular mold was produced in our Shineyuu manufacturing plant.

<img alt="Injection Mold Tooling 2 Plate Image" src="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/_next/image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fprod_mold2.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=50" style="height:578px; width:884px" />

<h2>The Ejector Mold</h2>

Another important component of mold design is the second plate, the ejector mold. This tooling component is the exit point, where the plastic product is &ndash; as the name implies &ndash; ejected out of the injection mold. When a plastic product is complete the clamping unit slides the ejector mold away from the injection mold tooling. Then, small circular pins called ejector pins push the completed plastic product off the injection mold. When it comes to injection molding tool design, ejector mold walls are usually angled, known as a draft angle. This is because without one the product would have trouble ejecting from the mold. This would cause damage to both the mold and the plastic part. With draft angles, air can rush in and break any vacuum seal.

Plastic produced by injection molding is one of the most highly desired, profitable and useful ways to make products. By using proper tooling, choice mold components and correct injection molding tooling design, you can make any plastic product you can dream of! Below is just some of the design molded plastics we have made right here at Shineyuu.

<img alt="Injection Mold Tooling Plastic Products" src="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/_next/image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fmolded_parts13.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=50" style="height:692px; width:922px" />

<h2>Injection Molding Machine</h2>

A key part of the injection mold tooling process is using an injection molding machine. These machines are also known as presses. They consist of a material hopper, an injection ram or a plunger which is screw-like and a heating unit. A molding plate, either single cavity or multi cavity molds are clamped to the molding machine. Then plastic is injected into the mold, via the sprue as mentioned previously. Depending on the tooling plastic used when making these tooling molds, it may require more pressure to fill the mold. This is because some plastic is stiffer than others. This requires a higher clamping force from the injection mold machine, meaning how strong the machine needs to hold the cavity injection molding in place. Check out <a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/custom-injection-molding">Custom Injection Molding</a> and <a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/injection-mold-design">Injection Mold Design</a> for more information on all things injection molding.

Here we can see an injection moulding tool design done right here at Shineyuu. The used mold for this moulding tool will result in a perfect plastic product!

<img alt="Injection Mold Tooling Design Image" src="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/_next/image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2F3d_model2.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=80" style="height:703px; width:847px" />

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

Today we learned about some of the tooling molds and machines used during the injection molding process. This includes why exactly we use these injection mold tools, along with a variety of purposes these tooling and molding machines are used for. This is to help you understand injection mould tool design and if injection mold is something you should consider for your next project in the future.

We here at Shineyuu know all about plastic molding tools and plate molding. In fact, we know a lot about all kinds of molding tools, since we are an injection molding company! &nbsp;If you are thinking about if your next project should include a thorough injection mold tooling design, wish to work with a company who knows about mold close up and personal, or are not sure which molding tool is best to use simply&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/contact">contact us and request a quote</a>, or indeed you can ask us any questions and we will be more than happy to assist you in any way we can!

If you enjoyed the article make sure you take a look at some of our other posts on many other materials and topics, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/what-is-thermoplastic-rubber">What is Thermoplastic Rubber</a>, <a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/picking-polystyrene">Picking Polystyrene</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/all-about-acrylic">All About Acrylic</a> for more great information.

&nbsp;

This article covers the main injection mold tooling you can expect to see on a regular basis in the world of injection molding!

Take a look at the variety of injection mold tooling you can expect to see.

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Learn About Injection Mold Tooling

<h1>Thermoplastic Rubber</h1>

In this article we are going to learn everything you need to know about thermoplastic rubber, which is often referred to as TPR for short. We will get a better understanding of what is TPR, what are its strengths and weaknesses. What are the kinds of products you can most often see TPR material used in and what separates it from regular rubber?

TPR is not to be confused with the TPR medical abbreviation meaning temperature, pulse and respiration. Actually TPR stands for thermoplastic rubber. What is rubber material? Rubbers meaning in general, is that rubber is a compound or polymer which is known for both its flow and its elasticity. Basically how runny and stretchy it is, but with the added benefit of being able to recover its original shape after being stretched. General products that come to mind when we think of rubberized polymer products include surgical tubing, windshield wiper blades and of course tires on an automobile.

So what about TPR rubber? What makes it so special? First we must understand what it even is! Regular rubber cannot be melted down once a product has been made. Think of a tire, this cannot be melted down. They have to be used elsewhere, like playground surfacing or as a swing. This type of compound is known as a thermoset. Thermoplastic definition however, is a plastic that can be both melted and re-used multiple times over. While being melted down works great for the environment, the trade-off is that the material may lose performance properties once it reaches certain temperatures. TPR plastic is special then, since it works like a plastic but performs like a rubber.

Is rubber a type of plastic? TPR meaning thermoplastic rubber certainly is! Since it has the properties of rubber, both malleable and stretchy, but can be melted down and re-used again.

<img alt="Thermoplastic Rubber Image" src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/plastic-resin-pellets-picture-id183336434?b=1&amp;k=20&amp;m=183336434&amp;s=170667a&amp;w=0&amp;h=IYjLhsgybLu9tmQqPZzJBjzY4SooV3miqYv1paRB2PY=" style="height:338px; width:507px" />

<h2>Advantages of Thermoplastic Rubber</h2>

Since we previously mentioned what is TPR material, we have learned that its primary strengths rest in the fact that it is both a plastic and a rubber, but what does that mean? What kinds of advantages would it give if used in your next project going forward?

Thermoplast rubber comes with a wide range of advantages. &nbsp;Boasting the properties of rubber, it is capable of high flexural fatigue resistance, is fantastic for electrical properties, recyclable, lightweight, with good tear and abrasion resistance. Combined with this is another set of properties from also being a plastic. It yields high impact strength, shows outstanding resistance to weathering and chemicals and has wonderful colourability. &nbsp;

Is rubber plastic? Natural rubber, like latex comes from the rubber tree. But thermoplastic rubber is a thermoplastic compound which is man-made using polymers and is indeed a plastic.

<img alt="Thermoplastic Rubber Polymers Image" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1614484691701-709df3fec2ac?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&amp;ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=774&amp;q=80" style="height:581px; width:774px" />

<h2>Disadvantages of Thermoplastic Rubber</h2>

This rubberized plastic does have some disadvantages however. When we examine material TPR, we notice that under constant high temperature exposure it does not do well, typically in the ranges above 250&deg;F (121&deg;C). If high tensile strength is an important factor in your product, it is also a poor choice as many thermoset rubbers would suit better. When immersed in particular petroleum products it has also been found that it does not hold up well.

What are some uses of thermoplastic? Because TPR has a pleasant surface texture with a wonderful feel, thermoplastic uses can be used in a wide range of tactile products, from the soles on our shoes touching our feet, to many handgrips and hinges for our hands.

<img alt="Thermoplastic Rubber Pen Grip Image" src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/175045/pexels-photo-175045.jpeg?auto=compress&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;dpr=2&amp;h=650&amp;w=940" style="height:1300px; width:1733px" />

<h2>Products of Thermoplastic Rubber</h2>

Thermoplastic manufacturers create this plastic-rubber powerhouse because it possesses a smooth, comfortable feel. It is usually a great choice for a handle or a grip. It can be utilized in many industries from medical and construction, to fashion and automotive. Some of the products where you can find TPR outside and inside include:

<ul>
	<li>TPR medical instruments</li>
	<li>TPR toys</li>
	<li>Wires and cables</li>
	<li>Power and hand tools</li>
	<li>Pen grips</li>
	<li>Airbag covers</li>
	<li>Shoe soles</li>
	<li>Grips and handles</li>
	<li>Hinges</li>
	<li>Plugs and seals</li>
</ul>

One of the most common products of this plastic rubber is actually found in shoe soles. Ever since the 1960s, this famous rubber resin has been used to produce soles because of its low-costs, easy malleability and light weight. Chances are if you look at your sole you may see the letters TPR, or TPE &ndash; another famous kind of thermoplastic.

<img alt="Thermoplastic Rubber Shoe Sole Image" src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/2016145/pexels-photo-2016145.jpeg?auto=compress&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;dpr=2&amp;h=650&amp;w=940" style="height:1253px; width:1880px" />

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

Today we learned all about thermoplastic rubber. What does TPR stand for, what does TPR mean, TPR examples, including extra information like is rubber made of plastic, difference between plastic and rubber and whether this rubber plastic material is something you should consider for your next project in the future.

We here at Shineyuu know all about rubbers and plastics. In fact, we know a lot about all kinds of thermoplastic products and plastics, since we are an injection molding company, including experience with the rubber injection molding process! &nbsp;If you are thinking about if your next project should include rubber injection molding, wish to know TPR material safety, or are not sure which material is best to use simply&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/contact">contact us and request a quote</a>, or indeed you can ask us any questions and we will be more than happy to assist you in any way we can!

If you enjoyed the article make sure you take a look at some of our other posts on many other materials and topics, such as <a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/picking-polystyrene">Picking Polystyrene</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/all-about-acrylic">All About Acrylic</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shineyuu-mold.com/blog/what-is-nylon">What is Nylon</a>&nbsp;for more great information.

We learn about thermoplastic rubber! What makes it different from regular rubber and what are the best products it can be used it.

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Thermoplastic Polyurethane 101

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