Difference between TPE and TPU

Material Composition
TPE: Based on thermoplastic elastomer systems, typically composed of SBC (Styrenic Block Copolymer) base elastomers blended with one or more compounding agents. It offers a wide hardness adjustment range, spanning from Shore 0A to Shore 100D.
TPU: A polymerized thermoplastic elastomer formed by the reaction of diisocyanate molecules with macromolecular polyols. It has a narrower hardness range, primarily concentrated between Shore 70A and Shore 70D.

Physical Properties
Hardness: TPE exhibits a broader hardness range, adjustable from 0 to 100A, and can even provide ultra-soft variants below 0A. TPU has a hardness range of 35–90A and 50–80D, with the most common values being 80–95A.
Temperature Resistance: TPE operates within -60°C to 105°C, while TPU is limited to -60°C to 80°C.
Oil Resistance: TPU demonstrates superior oil resistance, while achieving oil resistance in TPE is more challenging.
Resilience and Wear Resistance: TPU outperforms TPE in resilience and wear resistance, owing to differences in molecular chain segment structures.

Processing Methods
TPE: Compatible with various methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. The process is simple, and scrap materials can be 100% recycled for reuse, reducing costs.
TPU: Primarily processed via injection molding, with longer cycle times and challenges such as mold adhesion and difficult demolding.

Application Fields
TPE: Widely used in automotive, medical, and consumer goods sectors for products like hoses, sealing gaskets, and handles.
TPU: Commonly employed in wear- and corrosion-resistant products such as running shoes, sports equipment, and phone cases.

Conclusion
In summary, TPE and TPU each excel in material composition, physical properties, processing methods, and application areas. The choice between them depends on specific application requirements and environmental conditions.