🧩 PP+TPO – Polypropylene with Thermoplastic Olefin
(Weldable elastic-rigid plastic, widely used in car bumpers and flexible exterior components)
🔹 What is PP+TPO
PP+TPO is a blend of polypropylene (PP) with thermoplastic olefins — usually EPDM (rubber) and other polyolefin elastomers.
The result is a semi-elastic material, highly impact-resistant, with good thermal stability and easy processing. It is one of the most widespread OEM materials for car bumpers, valued for the ideal combination of rigidity, elasticity, and ease of welding.
🔧 Composition
- PP (Polypropylene) – thermoplastic base
- TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) – blend of elastomers (EPDM, POE)
- Additives – UV stabilizers, antioxidants, coupling agents, pigments
- Variants: PP+TPO20, PP+TPO+TD, PP+TPO+MD, depending on the filler
🚗 Where PP+TPO is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Body / Exterior | Bumpers, spoilers, mudguards | Most common material for car bumpers |
| Technical Interior | Covers, trims, flexible casings | Elastic, but dimensionally stable |
| Engine Compartment | Protections and flexible parts | Withstands temperature and vibrations |
| Aftermarket / Tuning | Extensions, air diffusers, sport parts | Easy to weld, original matte finish |
🔧 Welding temperatures and methods
| Method | Optimal temperature | Observations |
| Hot air | 260 – 280 °C | Most common service method |
| Heat plate (mirror) | 250 – 270 °C | Clean, controlled bonding |
| Manual extrusion | 240 – 260 °C | Ideal for long cracks and corners |
| Ultrasonic | — | Only for small parts |
🔩 What to weld PP+TPO with (Material compatibility)
The question “what to weld PP+TPO with” frequently arises during bumper repairs.
Being a blend of PP and elastomers, compatibility is broad — it can be welded with most elastically modified PP variants.
✅ Compatible:
- PP+TPO ↔ PP+TPO – ideal combination, original joint
- PP+TPO ↔ PP+EPDM / PP+HI / PP+TPV – excellent compatibility
- PP+TPO ↔ PP-C / PP-H / PP-TD20 – good compatibility
- PP+TPO ↔ PP+MD / PP-MD20 – compatible, but slightly more rigid
❌ Incompatible:
- PE, ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different melting points and composition
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use original PP-TPO or PP-EPDM / PP-C welding rods. Work at a temperature of 270–280 °C with constant movement. Clean the oxidation (usually whitish) from the surface for a perfect weld.
🏭 Manufacturers and trade names
| Manufacturer | Brand / Series | Country / Region |
| LyondellBasell | Hostacom® TPO | Germany / Netherlands |
| Borealis | Daplen® TPO | Austria |
| SABIC | PP-TPO Compound | Netherlands / Global |
| TotalEnergies | Lumicene® TPO | France |
| Hyundai EP | Polytron® TPO | South Korea |
| Ravago | Enyglos® TPO | EU |
🧠 How to identify PP+TPO
- Engraved marking: >PP-TPO< or >TPO<
- Yellow-blue flame, faint paraffin smell
- Semi-elastic material, not brittle
- Matte surface, slightly rubberized
- Uniform melting at 270 °C, no bubbles
🛠️ PP+TPO Welding at ReplastMD:
At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional PP-TPO welding for:
- OEM bumpers and spoilers
- flexible and elastic parts with or without talc
- restoration of broken corners and mounts
- original finish with uniform matte texture