Have you ever wondered about the different material options you could potentially consider for your next project? In many cases, finding a material that works well for you can seem like a challenge, especially if you have very specific requirements. However, there are countless options out there that might fit your needs, and thermoplastic polyurethane is just one such example.
But what is thermoplastic polyurethane, and how does it differ from regular polyurethane? Could this be the right choice of material for your project? We’ve outlined some of the main things you need to know in this regard to help!
What is Thermoplastic Polyurethane?
Thermoplastic polyurethane, as the name would indicate, is a specialist type of polyurethane. It is commonly just referred to as “thermoplastic” in some networks. However, it is still a type of polyurethane material, meaning that it provides many of the great properties that manufacturers and businesses have come to expect.
Thermoplastic polyurethanes are made through chemical reactions between materials such as polyether or polyester. The material does not contain cross-linkages, which helps provide its many different properties.
How Does Thermoplastic Polyurethane Differ From Regular Polyurethane?
Compared to regular urethane materials, thermoplastic polyurethane is generally considered to be a higher-performance option, offering many of the benefits of regular plastics (with several extra perks).
Of course, one of the most obvious differences is that the resulting product does not have any cross-links for TPUs. Contrastingly, these are common in regular polyurethanes.
The two materials also fall into different categories, with thermoplastic polyurethane being a block polymer and regular polyurethane being a reaction polymer.
Due to its unique nature, one of the great features of thermoplastic polyurethane is that it can be melted down and formed. This allows even more freedom over how the material is used and for which applications it can help with. It still provides excellent flexibility and elasticity; as such, it is very commonly used in scenarios where repeated deformation and reformation are anticipated.
Is Thermoplastic Polyurethane Right for My Project?
At this point, we should stress that there is no simple way to say for certain whether TPUs will be right for you, it’s worth noting that this excellent material is being used increasingly often in applications that demand strength and flexibility with easy molding potential, such as in sportswear and clothing, as well as in medical equipment and even in vehicle manufacturing.
To learn more about how TPUs might work for you, don’t hesitate to contact a professional supplier for further information.
Find Out More!
If you’re ready to learn more about what thermoplastic polyurethane is and how it might work for your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact an expert provider such as our team. Here at Pengde, we’re immensely proud to be one of the top manufacturers of quality PU products, including premium sheeting and the like.
So, no matter what you might have been looking for, our experts are confident that we can deliver a solution that works for you. Why chance it?
