How to bond Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
Bonding of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomers, commonly called thermoplastic rubber, are manufactured by combining hard thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA) with one or more softer rubber materials. TPE is thus available in many variants. TPE-V (vulcanized PP/EPDM compound), TPE-S (styrenic SBS, SEBS, or SEPS compound), and TPE-E (copolyester compound) are just three examples among many. The material is used, among other things, in the automotive industry, for toys, cable sheaths, roofing membranes, and much more.
Bonding
For optimal adhesion, parts should always be cleaned before bonding.
Almost all types of TPE have a relatively low surface tension, which makes them more complicated to bond than other materials. However, Permalock has a specially formulated adhesive designed precisely for these material types. This adhesive bonds optimally to TPE and other challenging materials such as PP and PE (polypropylene and polyethylene). With this adhesive, no further surface treatment is needed beyond the mandatory cleaning. However, there may be specific tasks requiring faster curing than what is obtained with the adhesive recommended below. In such cases, it is possible to find a suitable cyanoacrylate (super glue) to get the job done. Here, it is important to note that if cyanoacrylate is used, surface treatment is necessary before applying the adhesive. The surface can be treated with a primer or alternatively with plasma or corona treatment.
MS-polymer adhesive is a versatile and effective solution for bonding TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). TPE materials have low surface tension, which often makes them difficult to bond with traditional adhesives. MS-polymer adhesive is specially designed to handle these challenges and provides strong adhesion without extensive surface treatment. MS-polymer adhesive creates a strong and flexible bond that retains the elasticity of TPE after curing, which is perfect for dynamic applications.
Recommended
Permalock AC 650 Acrylic Adhesive 2K Construction Adhesive.
Contact us
Do you have questions about bonding or need advice on choosing the right adhesive for your application? Our experts are ready to help you achieve reliable and durable bonding.
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