TPV vs TPS: When to Specify Each Material for Auto OEMs

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Thermoplastic Elastomers: The TPS and TPV Families

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a class of materials that bridge the gap between plastics and rubber, combining the flexibility of elastomers with the processability of thermoplastics.

TPEs consist of “hard” (crystalline) and “soft” (amorphous) phase systems in the form of blends, alloys, or block copolymers.

● The “hard” phase is responsible for the TPE’s thermoplastic properties, like service temperature, tensile strength, and chemical resistance.
● The “soft” phase gives the TPE its rubber-like properties, including flexibility and compression set.

Together, these hard/soft phase systems combine to offer unique performance and processing benefits.

There are several families of TPEs, classified by their composition or technology.

Among these diverse families, Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV) and Styrenic Block Copolymers (TPS) are two of the most widely specified and versatile materials in demanding applications. Understanding the subtle chemical distinctions between these polymer systems is key to selecting the optimal solution for your application --whether it's a flexible exterior seal or interior soft-touch component.

TPE Family Tree

What is TPS Rubber? Styrenic Block Copolymer (TPE-S) Definition

In simple terms, TPS rubber combines the flexibility of rubber with the easy processing of plastic, making it ideal for automotive soft-touch components. Styrenic TPEs (TPS) are two-phase block copolymers composed of hard polystyrene end blocks and soft, elastomeric mid-blocks made of polybutadiene or polyisoprene, which may be hydrogenated.

Key Applications:

Interior Components: bin mats, cupholders, seat belt sleeves
Sealing Systems: window encapsulation, belt line seals

For automakers, TPS materials offer versatility with a broad hardness range and ease of customization for color, haptics, and gloss.

What is TPV material? (EPDM/PP and Dynamic Vulcanization)

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) come closest to matching the elastomeric properties of EPDM rubber. TPVs are PP and EPDM alloys that undergo thermodynamic vulcanization or cross-linking during the compounding process, resulting in superior heat and chemical resistance and elastic properties. TPVs exhibit excellent long-term performance and are an excellent alternative to EPDM.

TPV vs TPS Critical Performance Comparison

TPV and TPS materials can be used throughout the vehicle and often interchangeably, exhibiting similar elastomeric properties and performance. However, since cross-linking boosts the performance of TPVs, they can be used in applications with more stringent requirements. Understanding the end-use environment is critical for material selection.

MATERIAL	TEST STANDARD	UNITS S.I.	TPS	TPV
DENSITY	ISO 1183	kg / m3	1180	970
HARDNESS (5 SEC DELAY)	ISO 868	Shore A	63	68
TENSILE PROPERTIES Flow direction Tensile strength at break Modulus at 100% elongation Elongation at break	ISO 37	MPa MPa %	5.4 1.6 790	7.1 2.4 570
TEAR STRENGTH Cross flow direction Unnicked angle	ISO 34B	kN/m	29	27
COMPRESSION SET 22 hrs @ 23°C 22 hrs @ 70°C 70 hrs @ 90°C	ISO 815, type A	% % %	20 31 77	20 32 43
APPARENT SHEAR VISCOSITY @ 206 1/s, 200°C	ASTM D 3835/TA Procedure	Pa.s	266	340
GLOSS @ 60° DEGREES	ASTM D 523	- - -	15.7	1.2

3 Essential End Use Environment Considerations for Material Selection

Thermal Requirements: Continuous Use Temperature Range

Both TPV and TPS exhibit excellent low temperature performance and can withstand exposure down to -40 °C.

However, due to cross-linking, TPVs have better high temperature resistance than TPS materials. The maximum continuous use temperature recommended for TPS is 110 °C, whereas TPV can be reliably utilized up to 125 °C.

Continuous Use Temperature Range - TPV vs TPS
TPV: -40 to 125 °C
TPS: -40 to 110 °C

Functional Requirements: Compression Set per ISO 815

At room temperature, TPV and TPS materials exhibit similar compression set behavior.

TPVs are more resilient than TPS materials at elevated temperatures and demonstrate significantly better compression set at 125 °C.

Compression Set per ISO 815
At 23 °C, 22 hrs:
● TPV = 17%
● TPS = 22%

At 125 °C, 70 hrs:
● TPV = 40%
● TPS = 92%

Fluid Resistance: IRM 902 Oil

TPV and TPS both exhibit excellent chemical resistance to many fluids encountered throughout the vehicle, including:
● Cleaning solutions
● Waxes
● Antifreeze coolant

However, due to cross-linking, TPVs exhibit superior resistance to oils versus TPS materials. TPS materials should only be used in environments where splash contact occurs with more aggressive automotive fluids.

Resistance to IRM 902 Oil

At 23 °C, 70 hrs

TPS exhibits more than double the % loss in critical mechanical properties.

Considering the thermal, functional, and fluid resistance requirements of the unique auto environment you are specifying will help you and your team make the best TPE selection every time.

Partnering with Experts on TPV and TPS Selection

The Sarlink product line, designed specifically for automotive applications, includes both TPS and TPV families of TPEs. Our Teknor Apex team can help you navigate your auto part specifications and whether TPV or TPS would be your best option. Feel free to reach out to connect with one of our experts.

Looking for more information? Download the technical data package below, comparing the physical and mechanical properties of Sarlink® TPV vs. TPS, featuring the workhorse materials from our portfolio.

Download the Technical Data below!

Frequently Asked Questions

TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) is a type of thermoplastic elastomer made by dynamically vulcanizing EPDM rubber within a thermoplastic (typically polypropylene) matrix. This process produces a material that combines the elastic recovery and durability of rubber with the moldability and recyclability of thermoplastics. TPVs offer excellent heat, fluid, and weather resistance, making them widely used for automotive seals, gaskets, boots, and under-hood components where long-term performance is critical.

TPS (Thermoplastic Styrenic Block Copolymers)—often called styrenic TPEs or “TPS rubber”—are soft, flexible materials composed of styrene end blocks and rubbery mid-blocks such as ethylene-butylene (SEBS). TPS compounds deliver a soft-touch feel, colorability, and easy processability, making them ideal for interior automotive trims, grips, and overmolded components. Compared to TPVs, TPS materials are softer and easier to bond to rigid plastics but are less resistant to heat, oil, and long-term outdoor exposure.

The key difference lies in durability and environmental resistance. TPVs feature vulcanized rubber domains, giving them superior heat stability, compression-set above room temperature, and chemical resistance—ideal for under-hood and exterior seals. TPS compounds, on the other hand, are non-vulcanized and deliver better softness, aesthetics, and bonding for interior or cosmetic parts.

Yes. Like all thermoplastic elastomers, TPVs are fully recyclable. They can be re-melted, reprocessed, and reused without significant loss of properties—unlike thermoset rubbers such as EPDM. Teknor Apex TPVs, including Sarlink®, support closed-loop manufacturing and can often be reground and reincorporated into new parts. This recyclability not only reduces waste but also supports OEM sustainability and circularity goals in automotive production.

TPVs are widely used in automotive, transportation, and industrial sealing applications. Typical uses include weather-seals, glass-run channels, boots, bellows, ducts, hoses, and vibration-damping components. Their combination of rubber-like flexibility and thermoplastic processability allows efficient extrusion and molding of durable parts that withstand heat, fluids, and long-term mechanical stress. Beyond automotive, TPVs also serve industrial seals, wire and cable jackets, and consumer or construction profiles.

Under-hood environments expose materials to high heat, oils, fuels, and mechanical vibration—conditions that can degrade conventional elastomers. TPVs, especially Teknor Apex’s Sarlink® grades, maintain elasticity, sealing integrity, and chemical resistance even after extended exposure to elevated temperatures. They also offer lightweighting advantages, ease of processing, and recyclability, all of which help automotive OEMs reduce cost, improve reliability, and meet sustainability targets compared to traditional rubber components.

Yes. TPS (thermoplastic styrenic block copolymers) can be engineered for use in exterior automotive sealing systems such as glass-run channels, door and window seals, and liftgate or trunk profiles. Weatherable TPS grades offer excellent low-temperature flexibility, colorability, and surface aesthetics, along with low odor and fogging characteristics that meet automotive interior and exterior requirements.

While TPV compounds typically deliver superior heat and compression-set resistance for demanding environments, TPS materials provide the ideal balance of softness, sealing performance, and visual quality for many exterior trim and weatherseal applications where long-term exposure to heat and fluids is moderate.

Yes — and it often does. TPV materials, such as Sarlink® from Teknor Apex, provide rubber-like performance with thermoplastic processing benefits, eliminating the need for vulcanization. Compared to EPDM, TPVs offer shorter cycle times, reusability, lighter weight, and recyclability while matching or exceeding compression-set, weathering, and fluid resistance. They’ve become the standard choice for automotive sealing systems, gaskets, and boots and bellows, helping OEMs improve efficiency and sustainability without compromising performance.