🧩 PP+TPV – Polypropylene with Vulcanized Thermoplastic Elastomer
(Weldable elastic and durable plastic, used in flexible parts, gaskets, and automotive protections)
🔹 What is PP+TPV
PP+TPV is a polypropylene blended with a vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate), usually a blend of PP + vulcanized EPDM.
This material combines the durability of polypropylene with the elasticity of rubber, offering excellent resistance to impact, stretching, and extreme temperatures. It is frequently used in automotive gaskets, flexible covers, protectors, and deformable aesthetic parts due to its rubber-like behavior, while remaining weldable as a thermoplastic.
🔧 Composition
- PP (Polypropylene) – base matrix
- TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) – vulcanized EPDM rubber dispersed in PP
- Additives – UV stabilizers, coupling agents, antioxidants, technical colorants
- Variants: PP+TPV10, PP+TPV20, PP+TPV40, depending on elasticity
🚗 Where PP+TPV is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Exterior | Gaskets, mirror covers, mudguards | Elastic, impact and cold resistant |
| Interior | Handles, flexible plugs, dashboard | Soft surface, tactile, easy to clean |
| Engine Compartment | Protective covers, technical gaskets | Temperature and vibration resistant |
| Aftermarket | Tuning parts, flexible profiles | Easy to weld and shape |
🔧 Welding temperatures and methods
| Method | Optimal temperature | Observations |
| Hot air | 250 – 270 °C | Uniform melting, requires slow cooling |
| Heat plate (mirror) | 240 – 260 °C | Soft, clean joint |
| Manual extrusion | 230 – 250 °C | Ideal for long and thin areas |
| Ultrasonic | — | Low efficiency at high thicknesses |
🔩 What to weld PP+TPV with (Material compatibility)
The question “what to weld PP+TPV with” is common — being a blend of PP and rubber, the material requires a flexible welding rod, preferably of the same composition or a compatible modified PP-based one.
✅ Compatible:
- PP+TPV ↔ PP+TPV – ideal combination, elastic joint
- PP+TPV ↔ PP+EPDM / PP+HI – very good compatibility
- PP+TPV ↔ PP-C / PP-H – compatible, but with different rigidity
- PP+TPV ↔ PE-LD – partially compatible (both are flexible)
❌ Incompatible:
- ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different melting points, no adhesion
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PP-TPV or PP-EPDM welding rods at a temperature of 260–270 °C. Clean the area before welding and avoid overheating — vulcanized elastomer can form bubbles or whitish smoke if burned.
🏭 Manufacturers and trade names
| Manufacturer | Brand / Series | Country / Region |
| ExxonMobil | Santoprene® TPV | USA |
| LyondellBasell | Hostacom® TPV | Germany / Netherlands |
| Borealis | Daplen® TPV | Austria |
| SABIC | PP-TPV Compound | Netherlands / Global |
| Hyundai EP | Polytron® TPV | South Korea |
| Ravago | Enyglos® TPV | EU |
🧠 How to identify PP+TPV
- Engraved marking: >PP-TPV< or >TPO< (Thermoplastic Olefin)
- Soft, rubberized surface, slightly matte
- Yellow-blue flame, faint rubber/paraffin smell
- Elastic material, recovers completely after bending
- Slow melting, no bubbles at 260 °C
🛠️ PP+TPV Welding at ReplastMD:
At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional PP-TPV welding for:
- gaskets, bumpers, covers, and flexible panels
- restoration of deformed mounts and corners
- aesthetic and structural repairs using our own PP-TPV rods