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Is TPU safe

TPU plastic components

Isocyanates and polyols are basic constituents along with chain extenders and catalyst which ultimately form the TPU. In addition to elasticity TPU also shows resistance to the followings.

When the question that thermoplastic polyurethane is safe or not arises, it is considered safe to be utilized for numerous applications. The basic reason of TPU being safe is because of its chemical structure and characteristics. Thermoplastic polyurethane finds its application in numerous sectors including following areas.

In its raw form Diisocyanates can be hazardous so this risk is eliminated by ensuring the complete reaction during the production process. So the production process of thermoplastic polyurethane is very controlled and it ultimately provides the safe usage of TPU. The evaluation of TPU by the regulatory authorities proved it to be safe to be utilized even for the food and medical applications. However, manufactures are required to adhere, follow and implement the regulations and standards devised by these regulatory bodies.

Definition of TPU

TPU is composed of polyols and diisocyanates chemicals. These are present in thermoplastic polyurethane in the form of alternate soft and hard segments. The properties and characteristics of TPU are the combination of the following.

TPU is considered very suitable to be utilized in many important sectors because it maintains its structural integrity at elevated temperatures and in harsh environments. These sectors include medical sector, food industry, electronics industry and automotive industry. Go to TPU injection molding to know more.

The manufacturers always try to find cost effective solutions from business point of view, yet at the same time they require quality to be maintained. This tough scenario is resolved by the standard thermoplastic processing techniques. These techniques are adopted due to following reasons.

Generally, there are three major techniques which are adopted for processing of TPU. These methods are as follows

  1. Blow molding,
  2. Injection molding
  3. Extrusion.

Thermoplastic polyurethane is extensively utilized in protective cases, footwear and apparel because of flexibility and transparency it offers. These products require good looks and durability which Thermoplastic polyurethane provides. Moreover, there are certain applications like toys for children, which include direct human touch. Moreover, thermoplastic polyurethane has been declared safe to be utilized for these applications by regulatory bodies as well.

Properties of TPU

The major characteristics of TPU are the followings.

TPU bears the properties of elasticity and flexibility. The property of being flexible allows TPU to be utilized in harsh environments covering a wide range of temperature.

Safety Concerns Related to TPU

There are numerous safety concerns regarding the safe utilization of thermoplastic polyurethane. This is because of the chemical composition and characteristics of the TPU. The safety concerns which are of significant importance are discussed below.

Answering The Question, Is TPU Safe?

TPU is considered safe to be utilized in numerous applications because of the following reasons.

Biocompatibility

TPU possesses the characteristic of biocompatibility. It means TPU will not pose any harm to living tissues and can be tolerated without getting any adverse affects. This characteristic is of significant importance in the scenarios including direct or indirect human touching. This mainly includes the following applications.

Non-Toxic nature

TPU is generally manufactured by utilizing raw material of non toxic nature. This is of important significance keeping in view the final utilization of TPU product. The usage of non toxic raw material in production process ensured that there will be no leaching of hazardous chemicals or dangerous substances. Subsequently, there will be no health risk of the end product user. Moreover, TPU production complies with safety related regulatory standards which are implemented in numerous sensitive industries such as medical sector and consumer goods.

Resistance to Chemicals

Thermoplastic polyurethane tends to resist the followings.

This important property plays an important role in safe utilization of TPU. When thermoplastic polyurethane is exposed to common environmental parameters the chemical resistance property of TPU ensures that it does not release any dangerous or hazardous substances. In addition to that this characteristic also increases the lifespan and durability of thermoplastic polyurethane.

Flexibility and Durability (Utilization without breakage)

Thermoplastic polyurethane is considered very suitable for many applications in which repeated stretching and bending is carried out. This is because good mechanical properties that TPU possess. The safe utilization of Thermoplastic polyurethane is achieved because excellent toughness, elasticity and flexibility prevent the breakage of TPU. The major usage of TPU in this context is in following areas.

Resistance to Heat

There are numerous applications which require thermal stability because products or items are exposed to high temperatures in those applications. Thermoplastic polyurethane provides thermal stability at high temperatures without degrading thus providing safe usage. Consequently TPU finds its utilization in such applications including the followings.

Environmental Safety

Thermoplastic polyurethane is considered safe to be utilized keeping in view its impact on overall environmental safety.TPU has the ability to be recycled and can be reused for numerous applications.TPU differs from others materials in recycling process due to followings.

Regulatory Compliance

There are certain regulations and standards devised by the regulatory bodies related to following parameters.

Manufacturers which are producing TPU comply with the standards and regulations to provide the requirements of above mentioned parameters. There are two major standards which are adhered by the manufacturers to ensure the safety of TPU.

  1. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations, European Union
  2. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals), United States

Raw Materials of TPU and Their Safe Processing

The production of thermoplastic polyurethane involves various raw materials. These raw materials ultimately form TPU after undergoing chemical reactions. It is important to handle these raw materials in a proper way during the production process because these raw materials can be hazardous if their handling is not carried out carefully.So, in production process a tight controlling and close monitoring of these raw materials is ensured. Subsequently, this results in the production of safe and non toxic thermoplastic polyurethane.

Following parameters related to raw materials need to be considered during the production of TPU.

Isocyanates

These are vital components in manufacturing of TPU. Isocyanates and polyols are basic constituents along with chain extenders and catalyst which ultimately form the TPU. It is important to note that isocyanates are toxic in raw form and can be the cause of respiratory sensitization and respiratory irritation due to followings.

These risks and hazardous are eliminated and prevented by completely reacting the isocyanates with polyols during the manufacturing process to obtain the polyurethane polymer.

Polyols

These chemicals are another important raw materials in manufacturing of TPU. These materials are non toxic and safe to be utilized in the raw form as well. The chemistry of these chemicals shows that these are the polyethers or polyethers with hydroxyl groups. These chemicals undergo chemical reaction with isocyanates to provide polyurethane polymer.

Chain Extenders

In order to adjust the characteristics and properties of final polymer, chain extenders are utilized in the production of TPU. These chain extenders generally include the followings.

It is pertinent to mention that these materials are safe and non toxic providing that they are handling properly and are ensured to be completely reacted during the polymerization process.

Catalysts and Additives

In addition to above mentioned raw materials certain catalysts and additives are also added during the production process of TPU. These catalysts and additives are added to enhance the following properties.

These catalysts and additives are generally considered safe to be utilized in the production process of TPU .However, selection of these materials is carefully carried out by the manufacturers to ensure the followings.

Conclusion

Thermoplastic polyurethane is considered a safe material to be utilized in many renowned applications and sectors. Although there are some raw materials such as isocyanates which can be hazardous in un-reacted form if not handled properly but controlled production process and compliance to regulation standards ensures its completion reaction. The final product TPU is inert and safe and finds its applications in automotive industry, medical sector and consumer products because of its bio compatibility, on toxic nature and enhanced mechanical properties. There are numerous international bodies that devise the regulations and standards related to safe usage of TPU.

These bodies such as US based FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the European union based Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has approved that the utilization of TPU is safe. This approval is based on numerous tests and data sheets related to the safety of TPU. This approval provides the authority that TPU is safe to be utilized because its production and processing is in compliance with the devised health and safety standards and regulation. The final products of TPU also underwent extensive testing to ensure their safe usage before they are launched into the market.

If you want to know more simialr injection molding materials, please go to is TPE safe page to know about TPE plastics.

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