Thermoplastic polyurethane

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is any of the polyurethane polymers that are thermoplastic; that is, they become pliable when heated and harden when cooled. This is in contrast to most polyurethanes, which are thermosets, hardening irreversibly. Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) reveal vast combinations of both physical properties and processing applications. Usually, they are flexible and elastic with good resistance to impact, abrasion and weather. With TPUs, there is the possibility for colouring as well as fabrication using a wide range of techniques. The incorporation of TPUs could therefore improve the overall durability of many products.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes have many desirable properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease, and abrasion. Technically, they are thermoplastic elastomers, consisting of linear segmented block copolymers composed of hard and soft segments.

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