Probably no one today will be able to surprise such a phrase as TPU material. What is this, however, not everyone knows. Where is it used? What features does it have? How to distinguish thermoplastic polyurethane from injection molding? Despite the external similarity, operational parameters and consumer properties are completely different.
TPU material - what is it?
So, more details. TPU material - what is it? What signs are inherent in it? In fact, it is not difficult to distinguish it. First of all, the material has a small residual deformation, allowing the use of products made from it as seals. Secondly, TPU can be recycled, which saves on feedstock. Thirdly, the catalysts are completely absent in the material. Fourth, it has a long service life. In addition, the material is resistant to abrasion, the action of microorganisms and hydrolysis.
In principle, these qualities are inherent in polyurethanes obtained by the traditional method. However, only TPU is able to be processed on equipment designed for the manufacture of ordinary plastics - machines, lines and devices called injection molding machines.
When did it all start?
And now a little history. When did TPU material appear? What are these reasons that influenced its occurrence? Everything began, according to historians, back in 1865. The company engaged in the production of billiard balls, made an unusual announcement. Anyone who finds ivory replacement material has been promised ten thousand US dollars. In 1869, John Hyatt decided to use nitrocellulose. He managed to achieve excellent quality and properties, after which he decided to establish his own company. From this moment, the rapid development of injection molding machines and the materials manufactured on them began. To date, this industry has achieved incredible heights.
TPU production
What is the manufacturing process? TPU material - what is it in production? Let's start with the raw materials. Granules obtained from previously reacted polyurethane components are required for the production of TPUs. Of course, initially they possessed the properties that made it possible to synthesize material. In the hopper of the injection molding machine, these same granules are poured. Further, by means of a screw, they are fed into the heating zone. After that, the plastic mass can be injected into the mold under pressure (in the manufacture of complex parts) or extruded, that is, extruded through a die - a hole of a specific configuration (for the manufacture of simple parts, such as bars, strips, sheets).
Benefits
In a word, the combination of chemical characteristics of TPU together with methods of their processing allows to obtain materials that have simply excellent physical parameters. One of the main ones, for example, is high heat resistance. For most products made from TPU, the softening start temperature is 120-140 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the cooled material completely restores all its parameters. While ordinary polyurethanes after this temperature can not be restored.
The possibility of re-processing the material has already been mentioned above. Unsuitable parts are crushed and sent there.
A considerable advantage is high wear resistance. Thus, the product can serve as an excellent protection. The material is also resistant to ultraviolet radiation. In general, all these advantages allow you to get great products with remarkable qualities. They are made of this material, for example, cases for Samsung, Nokia and other phones. These products are especially popular today. However, whatever product you choose, you will certainly be satisfied.