TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer): elastic and wear-resistant

TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomer: a material that feels and functions like rubber, but can be processed like ordinary plastic. This means it can be injection molded and remelted, which you can't do with real rubber. It is available in hardnesses from almost gel-like to quite firm. You find it in grips, seals, and soft parts of products. QDP uses TPE for the soft part of a product.

Shore A is the scale on which the hardness of soft materials is expressed, from around zero to one hundred. A rubber band is about 30, a car tire about 60, a hard shoe sole about 90. For a grip, 50 to 70 is common, for a seal it's often a bit softer. The hardness determines not only the feel but also how effectively the material seals and how it wears. QDP selects the hardness together with the customer based on function.

Yes, that's called overmolding or two-component injection molding, and it's the usual method of applying a soft grip or seal to a hard part. It provides a bond without glue or assembly steps. However, the TPE grade must match the hard plastic underneath, as adhesion doesn't work for every combination. Sometimes, molding and assembling separately is more cost-effective. QDP calculates both routes before building the mold.

That depends on the grade, and dishwasher safe is not the same as water-resistant. Hot water with alkaline detergent is a heavy load that affects some soft materials. For an overmold on a copolyester, there are TPE-S adhesion grades that can handle it, in hardnesses from about Shore A 42. Often, mounting a separate ring is the better route, as it is also replaceable. QDP assesses this per product and combination.

TPE is the general term for rubber-like thermoplastics; TPU is a specific type, based on polyurethane. TPU is stronger, more wear-resistant, and better resistant to oil, but also more expensive and typically harder. TPE is less expensive and available in much softer grades, which feels better in a grip. Wear and oil lean toward TPU, feel and price lean toward TPE. QDP chooses based on the most demanding requirement of the part.

For anything that needs to be soft or flexible: handles and soft inserts on tools, seals and O-rings, cable entries and strain reliefs, anti-slip feet, and the soft parts of sports and medical products. It also works well as a shock or vibration damper. In most of these uses, it is molded as a soft layer on a hard part, in the same mold. QDP processes TPE both separately and in combination with a hard component.