Everything under control – design freedom with TPS

How the choice of material shapes form, function, and perception

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have been known and established in various industries for many years. Their special position results from the combination of elastic properties with the processability of classic thermoplastics. 

There are a number of different classes within this family of materials, including TPV, TPU, TPO, TPA, TPC, and TPS. Each of these product classes addresses specific requirements – from mechanical strength and chemical resistance to optical and haptic characteristics. You can find more information about this in our KRAIBURG TPE blog on TPE classes.

Today, we would like to provide you with more information about styrene block copolymer-based TPE: TPS. This material class is characterized by a wide range of hardness, excellent modifiability, and high suitability for multi-component applications, among other things. 

For designers and product developers, TPS thus opens up a wide range of possibilities for specifically influencing functional and sensory requirements. In addition to mechanical properties, surface, feel, and color play a particularly important role.

Surface and feel as design parameters

TPS offer an exceptionally wide range of adjustment options in terms of surface characteristics. Depending on the formulation, properties such as high grip, smooth  touch, low friction, or soft touch can be achieved. This range allows products to be designed not only functionally, but also sensorily differentiated. Especially in applications with direct user contact, surface perception is understood as a quality feature.

In combination with the excellent colorability of TPS, this results in additional degrees of freedom in design. Color stability, brilliant color tones, and reproducible results are important prerequisites for consistent brand and product design. 

In addition, TPS adheres very well to common hard components such as polypropylene (PP), PC/ABS, or polyamide (PA). 

This property makes TPS particularly attractive for multi-component injection molding and helps to reduce assembly processes and increase component quality.

Handle applications as a typical field of application

A classic field of application for TPS is grip applications. Whether in the consumer goods sector, in medical technology, in household appliances or in industrial applications – wherever products need to be held securely, comfortably and intuitively, the right choice of material is crucial. 

TPS is used across markets here, as it combines functional requirements such as slip resistance and damping with aesthetic aspects. A clear example is the toothbrush – it combines numerous requirements that make the use of TPS sensible.

Application example: toothbrush

In toothbrushes, the adhesion between soft and hard components plays a central role. TPS adheres reliably to PP, a commonly used hard plastic for brush bodies. This adhesion quality is particularly important in multi-component injection molding, as it enables durable composites without additional bonding or joining steps.

The excellent colorability of TPS allows functional zones to be visually highlighted or design accents to be added without compromising material performance.
At the same time, the wide processing window of TPS offers a high degree of flexibility in the implementation of complex geometries. Ergonomically optimized grip zones, smooth transitions, and differentiated surface structures can be realized reliably.

Another important aspect is ease of use. Soft-touch surfaces with a defined grip ensure safe handling even when wet. Especially in daily use, this combination of ergonomics and pleasant feel leads to noticeable added value for users. Electric toothbrushes also have to meet durability requirements: TPS offers a good balance of elasticity and mechanical resistance over the entire service life of the product.

Last but not least, regulatory requirements must be taken into account. TPS can be formulated to comply with relevant food regulations, which is essential for products that come into regular contact with the skin and mouth.
 

Sustainability and regulatory requirements

Sustainability is also becoming increasingly important in the toothbrush segment. A sustainable product approach for TPE can be implemented, for example, using ISCC PLUS-certified, mass-balanced materials. 

These make it possible to contribute to the growing demand for more sustainable, bio-circular materials despite high regulatory requirements. This gives manufacturers and brands the opportunity to combine material innovations with strategic sustainability goals without compromising on quality or performance.

Conclusion

TPS exemplify how versatile thermoplastic elastomers can be used today. The combination of functional performance, design freedom, process flexibility, and regulatory compliance makes this material a particularly relevant component of modern product development—especially where haptics, ergonomics, and durability are key considerations.

What has been your experience with the use of thermoplastic elastomers? I look forward to hearing from you.