TPO
TPO’s or Thermoplastic Polyolefins is an emerging material in the thermoforming industry which consists of polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber and a reinforcing filler. Traditionally TPO’s have been difficult to form and fabricate, but today the material is far more tolerant and with the latest technologies in adhesion, there are now glues available and techniques like ultrasonic welding that make TPO’s a force to be reckoned with. TPO’s are a great all-rounder material and its composite structure gives it unique and advantageous properties. For instance compared to Acrylic capped ABS, TPO’s have:
- Higher heat resistance
- Better scratch resistance in most instances
- Higher stress and crack resistance
- Much better vibration absorption
- Much better squeak and rattle absorption
- Better low temperature impact strength and comparable regular impact strength
- Half the collinear thermal expansion
- Lower moisture absorption
Applications
TPO’s are used throughout the automotive industry for body panels and exterior parts that require strong UV radiation protection. But TPO’s can go a lot further than that, from agriculture and heavy equipment, RV and heavy truck and bus parts, snowmobiles, industrial components, electronics, personal watercraft, and lawn and garden products.
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Guage
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Ava.
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Guage
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Ava.
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Guage
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Ava.
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0.5MM
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4.5MM
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 |
18MM
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1MM
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6MM
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20MM
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1.5MM
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8MM
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25MM
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2MM
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10MM
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30MM
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3MM
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12MM
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40MM
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4MM
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15MM
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Property
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Value
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Unit
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Mechanical
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Tensile Strength
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57
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MPa
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Flexural Strength
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28
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MPa
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Shear Strength
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N/A
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MPa
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Impact Strength
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0.395
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J/m
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Hardness
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R49-R95
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M or R
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Thermal
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||
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Working Temperature
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125
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°C
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Vacuum Forming Temperature
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160
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°C
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Thermal Expansion
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3.32
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10^-5/°C
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Vicat Softening Temperature
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133-150
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°C
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Miscellaneous
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||
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Specific Gravity
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0.98
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g/cm³
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Water Absorption
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0.01-0.05
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% in 24 hr
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Light Transmission
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N/A
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%
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Dielectric Strength
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550-701
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Volts/Mil
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The information in the above data table is provided for educational purposes only in good faith and should only be used as a guide. As sheet material comes in a wide variety of grades, colours, textures and can contain different chemical properties, the figures only represent a typical insight into the specifications of the material. For more information on these figures and other properties please contact us.
