Uncovering TPU Films: A simplified guide to Thermoplastic Polyurethane

The Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is one of the most demanded thermoplastic elastomers for its varied applications in automotive industry, breathable films used in leisure and sports, textile coating, and much more.

Being an elastomer, it possesses properties like high tensile strength, high elongation, and excellent load bearing capacity. But more on these later.

These films are highly durable and flexible serving just the right characteristics to its product applications. This blog is a comprehensive guide to understand various aspects of TPU films and will allow you to process its applications more precisely.

 

How are TPU films produced?

The production of these films is done by a process known as extrusion. The raw polymer of TPU is melted and passed through dye to reach the desired level of thickness which is usually kept quite fine. Following this, the thin film is solidified and cooled. From here, it is cut into sheets for selling or kept as large rolls for bulk supplies.

 

Key characteristics

Waterproof

TPU films are used in a wide range of products for its property of being waterproof. That is how we see large applications of this product in raincoats, sports footwear, mattress protectors, etc. All these products have waterproof as their most important product feature and that is achieved by layering TPU films under the fabric.

Scratch resistant

Among thermoplastic materials, TPU films are considered superior for its scratch resistance and abrasion property. Being scratch resistant, its applicability increases for automotive interiors, technical parts, or even specialty cables.

On the other hand, the abrasion property is measured by observing the weight loss that each material undergoes in a wear test. The material that loses the least amount of weight is of superior quality. And from various studies, it has been proven that TPU undergoes the least wear and tear as compared to other materials like plasticized PVC, natural rubber, nylon 11, etc. 

UV Resistant

The aesthetic colors that we love in our products come from the aliphatic TPU. The material is also resistant to UV rays and helps in maintaining color stability. Both light and dark colors can be attained with TPU.

Breathable

The comfort of the final products come from highly breathable TPUs. Especially in sportswear and footwear, optimum comfort is achieved using this material. Different types of TPUs will have different levels of breathability and hence, they are often blended to achieve the right amount of breathability.

 

Application of TPU Films

They have excellent heat-sealing capabilities, making them ideal for use in various industries. The most commonly seen purpose of this is in mattress protectors for beds and even baby dry sheets.

They are used in the medical industry for making air mattresses that are non-woven and used for patient beds. Along with that, it is also used for bandages, and compression therapy systems.

TPU films are also widely used in the textile industry for producing breathable and waterproof fabrics. They are commonly used in sportswear, and footwear due to their water-resistant and breathable properties.

TPU films are also used in the automotive industry to produce airbags, seat covers, and interior trim. You will even spot it being used for car paint protection.

For those with an adventurous soul, TPU is for you as well in the form of tracking tents, inner lining of inflatable life jackets, raincoats, water sport floatation devices, and even rafts.

It is also utilized in extrusion of transparent films, hoses, and tubes. This is done using crystal-clear TPU which is known for its hardness.

It is pretty clear from all this how TPU films are involved in major chunks of our tangible lives. We at Anil International see how this element could make or break one important product in your life and hence, believe in sourcing only the finest quality of it.

 

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