While **Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)**, **Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR)**, and **Thermoplastic Vulcanizate (TPV)** all belong to the TPE family, their distinct chemical compositions result in significant differences in their resistance to various fluids, oils, and solvents—a crucial factor for material selection in industrial applications.
**TPR**, typically based on Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS), generally offers moderate chemical resistance and is not recommended for applications involving prolonged exposure to aggressive solvents, oils, or fuels. It performs well in water-based environments but can swell or degrade when exposed to hydrocarbons. **TPE**, particularly those based on Styrene-Ethylene/Butylene-Styrene (SEBS), offers improved resistance over TPR, especially to UV radiation and mild aqueous solutions, making it suitable for many outdoor and consumer applications. However, its performance against hot oils is limited. The highest level of resistance is found in **TPV**, which, due to the cross-linked EPDM rubber phase dispersed within a Polypropylene (PP) matrix, exhibits excellent resistance to hot air, ozone, automotive fluids, and many polar solvents. TPV's robust chemical resilience is what allows it to be used in demanding automotive under-the-hood environments and in industrial sealing where exposure to various aggressive chemicals is unavoidable. Understanding these differences is essential for ensuring material longevity and operational safety.
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