Material
TPU
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is an elastic engineering polymer valued for abrasion resistance, toughness, flexibility, and mechanical durability. It is commonly used for rollers, protective covers, flexible connectors, industrial seals, and components exposed to repeated bending, friction, or mechanical wear.
Material overview
TPU is a specific thermoplastic elastomer family offering a broad range of hardness and mechanical performance.
Material properties vary according to polymer chemistry, including polyester-based and polyether-based formulations.
Polyester-based TPU grades are often selected for abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, while suitable polyether-based grades can provide improved hydrolysis resistance.
Manufacturing methods include injection molding, extrusion, CNC machining of appropriate stock forms, and selected additive manufacturing processes.
Typical applications include industrial wheels, rollers, flexible couplings, protective sleeves, cable jackets, seals, and wear-resistant components.
TPU is frequently selected where conventional rigid plastics do not provide sufficient flexibility or where softer elastomers lack the required abrasion resistance.
Design considerations include hardness, rebound behavior, tensile properties, compression set, hydrolysis resistance, and operating temperature.
Buyers should specify the TPU grade, Shore hardness, dimensions, tolerances, mechanical requirements, color, and production quantity.
Critical applications may require abrasion testing, hardness measurement, tensile testing, or functional validation.
Metraxio supports TPU manufacturing RFQs with clearly defined material, processing, and performance requirements.