Specification
texts enquiry

Principal
details

Reference-
projects

Frequently asked
questions

Infomation
enquiry

Contact

TPE as the basic polymer in SpectraPlan® roofing sheets

TPE is the collective term for a particular group of polyolefins with the basic properties of elastomers (flexibility, elasticity), but which can be processed as thermoplasts (thermal softening, plastic deformation). Polyolefins are polymers (plastics) based exclusively on carbon and hydrogen; examples include modified polyethylene and polypropylene. These more traditional polyolefins are thermoplasts with good and well-known properties, and are commercially known as TPO. However, using state-of-the art catalysts in a unique process gives rise to very pure polyolefins with a predominantly elastomeric nature, and of which the thermoplastic properties are moreover controllable (TPE).

TPE in SpectraPlan®‚ offers the favourable properties of both thermoplasts and elastomers.

• TPE has a chemically ingrained flexibility, in contrast with the thermoplasts, the “flexibility” of which is derived from the physical behaviour of the additions to the polymer chains (softeners, rubber additives, synthetic modifiers).  
• TPE displays wide-ranging flow behaviour, while elastomers do not exhibit any flow behaviour.  

Thanks to the unique properties of TPE as an engineered polymer, TPE has already been used for many years in extreme (industrial) applications, and now also as roofing sheets.  
SpectraPlan® TPE roofing sheets offer solutions for all existing single-ply roofing systems; mechanically attached, loose laid and ballasted, partially or fully bonded.  

Summary of synthetic materials  
Processing characteristics of the basic polymer