The Reason Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Is Growing in Popularity
International Standards, coated textile sourcingOct 27, 2022
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In the current industrial environment, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is among the most popular material choices in the industry due to its superior properties. From opaque roofs to industrial liners, and even automobile parts. TPO-lined products deliver the utmost strength and consistency that none other can match at the same cost.
What is Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)?
TPO may be a blend of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene and elastomers. This combination creates a perfect material in terms of impact properties, chemical resistance, and other mechanical parameters that the industry demands.
In the simplest terms, TPO is supposed to be an update on polyolefins for specific applications that demand enhanced toughness and other properties. It retains the processability, low density, and resistance to chemical degradation that PP is known for, but also provides higher impact resistance and dimensional stability which is what a lot of industries are looking for.
Key Characteristics of TPO
TPO retains most of the positive qualities that off-the-shelf PP offers and augments them further by providing better chemical resistance, mechanical properties, and manufacturability. Here are a few key characteristics that make TPO an ideal choice for many applications.
Enhanced Durability
Many key applications of TPO require exposure to environmental elements and durability against weathering as an essential consideration for the manufacturers. The graph below indicates how well PP performs against weathering compared to the other alternatives in the market.
Similarly, PP also provides one of the best abrasion resistance properties among the same alternatives as well, which means that you can count on it to continue performing even in the most demanding conditions.
Apart from excellent resistance to weathering and abrasion, PP and by extension TPO deliver impressive thermal stability that allows the material to resist any weather changes.
The product continues to perform at the same level irrespective of its exposure to UV radiations and does not contain highly volatile substances that may cause cracking or hardening.
Mechanical Strength
Another excellent characteristic of TPO is the material’s ability to resist impact. TPO takes it to the next level and provides one of the best overall mechanical properties for intensive applications.
Furthermore, TPO also boasts high-level elasticity which allows it to easily fit over complex geometries. Combined with its abrasion resistance, the textile can wrap around sharp edges and resist most of the things the environment can throw at it.
Manufacturability
Generally, materials that offer excellent mechanical and chemical characteristics come with a catch. They are either too complicated or too expensive to process. TPO, however, is neither! In fact, it’s the opposite of that.
TPO boasts excellent manufacturability and that too at a lower cost. It can be processed through common processes like injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding. Furthermore, TPO doesn’t require drying before molding, which significantly reduces the cost.
Resistance to Degradation and Compatibility with Chemicals
Polypropylene (PP) is among the most chemically stable options in the market which the capability to resist a variety of organic and inorganic compounds.
TPO coating takes that compatibility to the next level and allows operations at any temperature range without any significant degradation. This is one of the reasons why this material is so popular for the creation of lining in landfill infrastructures, water containers, wastewater reservoirs, and others.
Eco-Friendliness
Sustainability is an integral factor for many thermoplastic manufacturers because of the growing demands on a global scale. Both developed and under-developed countries now expect manufacturers to play their role in keeping the environment as clean as possible and reducing their environmental impact.
Furthermore, businesses, too, have a moral responsibility to ensure that they don’t contribute to irreversibly damaging the environment while pursuing profits. TPO-coated polypropylene is among the handful of recyclable thermoplastics. Moreover, the material is known for its durability, which means that the products would last a long time and play a role in reducing the plastic in circulation.
The Role of Your TPO Supplier
Polypropylene is an advanced textile option that delivers excellent durability and overall chemical/mechanical properties. Erez has always been at the forefront of the textile industry with a focus on innovation. For thermoplastic manufacturing, Erez presents the POPK, a unique and powerful variant of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) that’s durable, inert, and cost-effective. Furthermore, the product by Erez is approved by the most stringent global standards such as NSF 6920 which can develop the end user’s confidence in your products and processes.
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