E-TPU (Expanded Thermal Polyurethane) is an engineered plastic material which is mainly used for shoes. E-TPU bead consists of thousands of cells having the diameter of 30~300 μm and air in it. Expanded E-TPU bead is 5 to 10 times bigger than TPU pellet and has a great mechanical properties such as high tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance.
E-TPU Characteristics & Property
Low density (Ultralight)
Great chemical resistance
High tensile strength
Durability in wide range of temperature
Outstanding resilience
Eco-friendly material
High elasticity
High abrasion resistance
E-TPU's Unique Structure
E-TPU is a co-polymer plastic with an unique molecular structure, consisting of repeated Hard Segment (HS) and Soft Segment (SS). Hard Segment is a crystalline hard phase with a high melting point, on the other hand, Soft Segment is an amorphous soft phase with a low melting temperature. When TPU pellets get heated in the autoclave at around 150 degrees which is same as a melting point of SS, CO2 blowing agent is impregnated into the loosen Soft Segment causing the TPU to swell and arrangement of Hard Segment crystal domain. Through the process, expanded TPU bead can have high flexibility, and elasticity.