The New Intimacy

TPE and TPR- the same thing?

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Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
So I am working on a review and the product is listed as being made of TPE. However, on the material guide page for TPE the information states it as "TPR" with the same information as the actual TPR page.

So what's the difference? Is TPE some different form of TPR, or are they the same? Why the different names?
07/30/2011
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Contributor: Miss Anonymous Miss Anonymous
I was really curious about that too. I also did a review and it said TPE. At first I though it was a typing mistake. I also did a double take because I thought I was seeing wrong. I guess I wasn't. I would like to know the difference.
07/30/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Well I did some Google'n and found a couple different hits that help a tad, well not really but it does get us at least some understanding. lol

TPE = Thermoplastic elastomer
TPR = Thermoplastic rubber

From this link

"Even though the terms TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), TPR (thermoplastic rubber), TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) and elastomer get used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings (at least some of them do).

TPE, TPR and elastomer mean exactly the same thing. They refer to a group of plastic materials that are “elastomeric” or flexible and soft. This is a very broad classification of materials."

And from this one (question type forum)
"ThermoPlastic Rubber (TPR) is best described a material which has both the characteristics of rubber and plastic. Typical applications are the hard rubber/plastic soles on many shoes or the the rubber/plastic material used on hane tool grips.

ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE) are a softer version of TPR. TPEs permit fabrication of "rubber-like" articles with the speed, efficiency, and economy of injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding."

From what I gather they are very similar, but TPE is softer to start with and can be made softer with heat. TPR can also be made softer, just not as much.

Sorry, it probably does not help a whole lot. lol
07/30/2011
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Well I did some Google'n and found a couple different hits that help a tad, well not really but it does get us at least some understanding. lol

TPE = Thermoplastic elastomer
TPR = Thermoplastic rubber

From this link ... more
Actually that does help a ton! Thanks tim

It makes sense now that TPE is softer; when I think about it the toy in question does feel softer than TPR and I can see how that would work.

Glad to know, thanks for clearing it up!
07/31/2011
Contributor: Linga Linga
Awesome. I've wondered myself. Thanks for asking Cherry and thanks for finding out Dwtim
07/31/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
Actually that does help a ton! Thanks tim

It makes sense now that TPE is softer; when I think about it the toy in question does feel softer than TPR and I can see how that would work.

Glad to know, thanks for clearing it up!
Glad it helped.
07/31/2011
Contributor: Jimbo Jones Jimbo Jones
I always kind of assumed they were the same, and given the definitions I would say that wasn't a bad assumption, necessarily, but it is nice to have a little more clarity on the subject. Thanks, Dwtim.
07/31/2011