2. Properties
Thanks to its many physical properties, TPU outperforms virtually all other thermoplastic elastomers that can be used for delicate applications (table 1 ).
Hardness
TPU can be produced in a range of hardnesses, from rigid materials (e.g. 95 Shore A) to very soft-touch materials with no relation to the usual plastic feel [e.g. 75 Shore A (55 Shore D)]. By varying the components, the order in which they are introduced into the mixture, the mixing order and the proportions of the molecular components (for example, by increasing or decreasing the proportion of polyalcohol, diisocyanate and chain extender), different polymers with different...
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Properties
Implementation and transformation
Statistical and economic data
In the absence of reliable market statistics for TPU films and foils (aromatic and aliphatic), world production is roughly estimated at 14,000 tonnes, two-thirds of which is manufactured in the USA. Europe produces some 3,000 tonnes, with Germany the leading producer ahead of the UK, France and Italy. The remainder of production comes from Asia, mainly Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
It...
References
Events
ANTEC (SPE Annual Technical Conference) http://www.4spe.org
Websites
List of TPU suppliers http://www.ides.com/generics/TPU/TPU_suppliers.htm
Directory
Manufacturers – Suppliers – Distributors (non-exhaustive list)
A. Schulman Inc. http://www.aschulman.com
API SpA http://www.apiplastic.com
BASF Corporation http://www.basf.com
...
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