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The shrinkage of TPE products during operation depends both on the material’s intrinsic properties and on the specifics of the processing technology. High-quality TPEs with properly selected formulation components prevent oil volatilisation and, consequently, product shrinkage during use in hot climates.
Shrinkage of products upon cooling is determined by the chemical nature of the blend components. Non-polar polymers in TPE compositions exhibit lower shrinkage at sub-zero temperatures than PVC plastisols, which are based on polar PVC resins.
For example, the longitudinal shrinkage of TPE seals at –45 °C is less than 1%.
Processing technology plays an even more significant role in shrinkage behaviour. Improperly selected injection moulding parameters can cause anisotropic shrinkage, leading to product warping. Likewise, poorly designed extrusion dies for TPE seals may result in up to 3% shrinkage in length after the first season of operation.
Therefore, when choosing a thermoplastic elastomer grade, it is important to seek technical advice and request sample materials — a service we provide free of charge.
