Application Notes
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TPU Film Extrusion: Compound Selection vs Finished Film Supply
Application Note TPU Film Extrusion: Compound Selection vs Finished Film Supply In TPU film projects, customers often face an early decision that is rarely discussed in depth: whether to purchase TPU film compounds for in-house extrusion, or to source finished TPU films directly. While both approaches are common, they represent fundamentally different allocations of process responsibility and risk. Application Context TPU films are used across bedding protection, functional laminations, medical covers, and packaging applications. Depending on production scale, equipment capability, and stability requirements, some manufacturers prefer to extrude films internally using compound, while others rely on externally supplied finished films. Compound vs Finished Film: A Structural Differe... -
When Standard TPU Grades Fail in Film Extrusion Applications
Application Note When Standard TPU Grades Fail in Film Extrusion Applications TPU film extrusion projects often begin with standard grades that appear suitable during initial trials. In many cases, samples pass basic evaluation, only to encounter instability, surface inconsistency, or performance drift during continuous production. These failures are rarely random and usually indicate structural limitations of standard TPU grades. Application Context TPU films are widely used in bedding protection, medical covers, breathable laminations, and functional packaging. While standard TPU grades are often sufficient for short trial runs, film extrusion places unique demands on melt stability, surface uniformity, and long-term process consistency. Why Standard Grades Often Reach Their Lim... -
Extrusion Stability vs Initial Appearance in TPU & TPE Applications
Application Note Extrusion Stability vs Initial Appearance in TPU / TPE Applications In many TPU and TPE extrusion projects, material evaluation is heavily influenced by initial sample appearance. Smooth surface, good gloss, and clean profiles are often treated as indicators of material quality. However, materials that look better at the sample stage frequently perform worse in long-term, continuous production. Application Context Extrusion processes are widely used for wire and cable jackets, profiles, tubes, and flexible components. During early trials, evaluation often focuses on surface smoothness and visual consistency of short sample runs. These early impressions, while intuitive, do not reflect the conditions of continuous industrial production. The Hidden Trade-off In sof... -
Why “Correct Hardness” Still Fails in TPU / TPE Applications
Application Note Why “Correct Hardness” Still Fails in TPU / TPE Applications In many TPU and TPE projects, material selection often begins with a single number: hardness. While hardness is an important descriptor, it is frequently treated as a decision variable rather than a result. This oversimplification is one of the most common reasons why applications fail even when the “correct” hardness has been selected. Application Context Hardness-based selection is common across extrusion, injection molding, overmolding, and soft-touch applications. In early project stages, materials with similar Shore hardness values are often considered interchangeable. However, field performance frequently diverges despite identical nominal hardness. Key Constraints That Ha...