Hi Alex,

TPE = Thermoplastic Elastomer, TPR = Thermoplastic Rubber

TPR generally applies to SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) Polymers and their compounds. SBS was widely used in UK manufactured footwear soling applications many years back but this business has now moved to low-cost manufacturing locations outside of the UK.

TPE's behave like trasditional crosslinked rubbers at room temperature but they have the advantage that they can be melt processed like thermoplastics. The process is completely reversible as there are no fixed crosslinks.

TPR is seldom used as an acronym these days. TPE covers a wide range of thermoplastic elastomer materials. TPE-S is the common acronym for styrenic block copolymer based materials (of which SBS and SEBS are examples). AlphaGary Limited manufactures a TPE compound range that is sold under the brand name Evoprene™. If you would like more information about Evoprene™ products then please let me know.

Hope this helps.