What is TPU filmWhat are the characteristics of TPU film

TPU film has become the focus of attention due to its unique properties and wide range of applications, with the advantages of plastics and rubber, and is used in footwear, medical, automotive interiors and construction. And with the development of science and technology, its innovative application in the field of smart wearable devices, in recent years, it has indeed become the focus of attention in the field of materials with its unique performance and wide application, the market is growing steadily, and the future will develop towards high performance, personalization and environmental protection. What are the characteristics of TPU film? In which areas are TPU films used differently? Today, Xiaobian will lead you to understand TPU film.
1. What is TPU film?
TPU, short for thermoplastic polyurethanes (Thermoplastic polyurethanes), also known as PU thermoplastics. It is a linear block copolymer composed of oligomeric polyol soft segments and diisocyanate-chain extender hard segments. TPU film is a film made of calendering, casting, blowing, coating and other special processes on the basis of TPU granules, and TPU film is an important application form of TPU material.
Second, the characteristics of TPU film
TPU film is a kind of functional film, which has the characteristics of high strength, good toughness, cold resistance, oil resistance, aging resistance, weather resistance, environmental protection and non-toxicity, degradability, etc., and has many excellent functions such as high waterproof and moisture permeability, windproof, coldproof, antibacterial, warmth, ultraviolet resistance and energy release, and is widely used in various fields.
3. Application of TPU film in different fields
TPU films offer a number of advantages by combining the processability of plastic with the high elasticity of rubber. In the field of footwear materials, TPU film upper materials can take advantage of the excellent adhesion properties of the underlying TPU hot melt adhesive film to directly fit and press the shoe body without the need for sewing process, providing good comfort and durability for the shoe material. In the medical field, TPU membranes can be used to make wearable devices such as blood pressure monitoring bands and heart monitors, improving the patient experience. It can also be used to make surgical gowns, protective clothing, etc., to provide protection for medical staff. In terms of automotive interiors, as a protective film for automotive paints, TPU films can resist stone impact, bird droppings corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, etc., and prolong the service life of car paints. Its flexibility means that TPU film can conform well to the curves of the vehicle without compromising the aesthetics of the vehicle, and can also be used in automotive interior parts, seats, airbag covers and other components to improve the comfort and safety of the car. In the field of construction, TPU waterproofing membrane shows its unparalleled advantages in modern construction projects, especially in the waterproofing treatment of roofs, walls and basements, which can not only effectively prevent moisture penetration and prolong the service life of buildings, but also adapt to various complex shapes of the base surface, ensure the integrity of the waterproof layer, and have good weather resistance and flexibility.
With the development of science and technology, TPU film also has innovative applications in the field of smart wearable devices. For example, TPU film is used to make smartwatch bands that provide a soft and comfortable feel while maintaining the durability of the product. In addition, in terms of electronic product protection, TPU film is commonly used in mobile phone screen protectors, and its self-healing ability means that minor scratches can disappear on their own within a certain period of time, reducing the frequency of replacing the protective film; TPU film provides a thin, strong layer of protection for portable devices such as tablets and laptops, helping to reduce damage from accidental falls or impacts.
1. Application advantages of TPU film in the field of shoe materials
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) films offer a number of significant advantages in the field of footwear. First of all, TPU has excellent elasticity, which means that it can quickly return to its original shape after being subjected to external forces, and it is not easy to deform, providing good comfort and support for shoes. For example, in sneakers, TPU film can be used to make a midsole section as an air cushion that provides good resilience and shock absorption, reducing impact on the foot during exercise.
TPU film also has excellent abrasion resistance, and its abrasion resistance is better than many other materials, greatly extending the life of footwear products. Whether it's for everyday wear or strenuous exercise, the TPU upper is effective in resisting friction and abrasion. In addition, the surface of the TPU material is specially treated to enhance its abrasion resistance and scratch resistance, so that the shoes maintain a good appearance and performance in long-term use.
In terms of processability, TPU film has good processability and can be processed by injection molding, extrusion, calendering, blow molding, molding and other methods, providing great flexibility for shoe material manufacturing. For example, TPU can be made into a waterproof and moisture-permeable film, which can be used in conjunction with shoe cloth, which not only increases the waterproof performance of the shoe, but also ensures breathability TPU laces are also a highlight of TPU applications in shoe materials. TPU laces are usually made of UV-resistant materials, which are stronger and more elastic than traditional polyester and nylon materials, and are lightweight, waterproof, dirt-resistant, easy to clean, and can provide a large contact surface to effectively prevent knots from loosening.
However, at present, the high cost of TPU limits its large-scale application in the footwear field. However, with the advancement of technology and the continuous improvement of production processes, it is expected that TPU will still grow by 5-10% in the footwear field in the future.
2. The specific use of TPU film in the medical field
TPU membranes have a wide range of applications in the medical field. Due to its good biocompatibility and mechanical properties, TPU has been widely used in the biomedical field. When it comes to assistive artificial heart devices, TPU offers a variety of performance advantages such as hemocompatibility and durability, and is functionally critical compared to natural rubber and silicone, does not damage blood cell components, does not produce toxins and allergic reactions, does not cause harmful immune responses, does not release electrolytes, and does not damage adjacent tissues.
In terms of medical catheters, TPU is often used to prepare medical catheters, such as infusion tubes, artificial catheters, etc. Because it is mechanically stable, biocompatible, and resilient. For example, the gastroscope tube is an important part of the fiber optic gastroscope, and the gastroscope tube made of TPU has enough elasticity and flexibility, no toxic side effects, the catheter diameter is consistent, no bending and deformation, and the catheter surface is smooth, which meets medical requirements. TPU endotracheal intubation is lightweight and flexible, convenient for clinical use, comfortable for patients, and can prevent radiation from harming the human body, and is one of the most advanced medical devices in the world, which can replace metal endotracheal intubation.
In terms of medical films, although traditional PE and polyvinyl chloride films are popular in medical protection, they have the defect that the human body's metabolism cannot be discharged in time and cause discomfort. Polyurethane elastomer medical films, such as TPU medical films, are sprayed with pressure-sensitive adhesives on the surface of polyurethane elastomer films, which have the advantages of waterproofing and anti-liquid exudation, and can effectively solve the shortcomings of traditional films.
In addition, there are also applications of TPU in fields such as medical artificial leather. TPU plays an important role in the medical field due to its flexibility, abrasion resistance, high compatibility, no deformation, no allergic reaction, good hemocompatibility, and no impact on blood components.
3. The role of TPU film in automotive interiors
In the field of automotive interiors, TPU film is gradually becoming an important choice to improve the aesthetics and durability of the interior. TPU film has excellent abrasion resistance and scratch resistance, in the interior environment, seats, door panels, center consoles and other components are often rubbed and scratched by passengers' clothes, handbags, keys and other items, TPU protective film can effectively resist the erosion of these external forces, prevent scratches and wear on the interior surface, so as to maintain the original texture and aesthetics of the interior.
TPU film also has good chemical resistance, and there are many types of automotive interior materials, including plastics, leather, metals, etc., which can be attacked by chemicals to varying degrees. TPU protective film has good chemical stability, can resist the corrosion of common chemicals such as acids, alkalis, greases, etc., and protects interior materials from damage.
Anti-aging and weathering resistance are also important features of TPU films. Automobile interiors are exposed to harsh environments such as sunlight, high temperature, and humidity for a long time, which can easily lead to problems such as material aging and fading. TPU protective film has excellent anti-aging performance and weather resistance, which can effectively resist the erosion of natural factors such as ultraviolet rays, oxygen, moisture, etc., delay the aging process of interior materials, and keep the interior color and texture as before.
TPU material has good elasticity and is able to adapt to the small deformations of interior components, ensuring that the protective film adheres tightly to the interior surface without leaving gaps. In addition, some high-end TPU protective films are self-healing, which can automatically repair minor scratches or damage, maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of the protective film.
The surface of the TPU protective film is specially treated with good waterproof and antifouling properties. Water droplets will form water droplets when they fall on the membrane surface, which is not easy to penetrate; Stains are also difficult to adhere to the membrane surface, making it easy to clean and take care of. This not only maintains the cleanliness of the interior environment, but also reduces the burden of cleaning interior materials.
During installation, TPU protective film is usually fixed to the interior parts by adhesive adhesive paste. This installation method is simple and quick and does not require complex tools and techniques. At the same time, when the protective film needs to be replaced or removed, there is no damage to the interior materials.
4. Advantages of TPU film in the field of construction
In the construction sector, TPU waterproofing membranes show their unbeatable advantages. TPU waterproof membrane not only has high strength, high elasticity, excellent wear resistance and weather resistance, but also has excellent waterproof, oil-proof, anti-pollution and antibacterial properties.
TPU membrane can effectively prevent moisture penetration and prolong the service life of buildings in the waterproofing treatment of roofs, walls and basements. It can adapt to the base surface of various complex shapes, ensure the integrity of the waterproof layer, and have good weather resistance and flexibility.
In the apparel industry, TPU waterproofing membranes are used in the production of various outdoor sports equipment, protective clothing, and special professional clothing. In the face of inclement weather, outdoor enthusiasts equipped with TPU waterproof membranes can effectively protect against rain intrusion while maintaining the breathability of their garments and ensuring the wearer's comfort. In addition, TPU waterproofing membranes are widely used in the production of medical protective clothing to protect healthcare workers from viruses and bacteria.
The field of electronics is also inseparable from the protection of TPU waterproof membranes. With the popularity of portable electronic products such as smartphones and smart watches, the requirements for waterproof and dustproof products are getting higher and higher. With its ultra-thin, high transparency, and good haptics, TPU waterproof membrane has become an ideal choice for protecting electronics from water and other liquid damage.
5. Innovative application of TPU film in smart wearable devices
TPU film has innovative applications in the field of smart wearable devices. Wanhua Chemical brought innovative TPU solutions to the 2021 Smart Wearable Forum, focusing on four smart wearable TPU product series of ultra-soft, antibacterial, aliphatic and bio-based based on customer needs, which were widely recognized by the on-site guests. Among them, the ultra-soft material gives the wristband excellent low-temperature comfort; The antibacterial series has excellent resistance to environmental discoloration; The innovative molecular structure design aliphatic series not only provides excellent anti-yellowing performance, but also improves the design flexibility of color products; The bio-based range can contain up to 75wt%, helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.