TPE Fluid Sealing 101
What are thermoplastic elastomers?
Elastomers molded into precise shapes to seal liquid or air
Thermoplastics are polymers (in this case, a plastic) that melt at certain temperatures and reharden upon cooling. Elastomers are flexible, rubber-like materials with superb elastic properties.
Combined, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are elastomeric materials that can be molded into precise, complex shapes that are highly reproducible. This makes TPEs ideal for fluid-sealing interfaces in life science instruments that require precision performance over a range of mid- to high-volume applications.
TPE fluid seals can bond with plastic components via overmolding. This production method eliminates a secondary labor step, making assembly simple and cost effective.
Fluid-Sealing Guide
Complex shapes, small features, intense pneumatic pressures—manufacturing a stable fluid-sealing interface can be complicated. Download this free TPE fluid-sealing guide to learn how Enplas can help.
Mass Production TPE Applications in Life Science
Common applications for TPE in life sciences include:
- Tube to cartridge
- Cap/lid to container/bottle/vial
- Instrument to chip
- Between two microfluidics, microfluidics to other plastic parts, or microfluidics to other materials such as CMOS
- Connector to manifold
- And many more
Examples of TPE seals
TPE fluid-sealing interfaces are highly customizable and can accommodate almost any combination of components. The images below demonstrate TPE fluid seals overmolded to plastic substrates. Independent standing gasket-like fluid seals are also useful in various cases (e.g., when it is used between non-plastic materials; when the fluid sealing interface is replaced more frequently than the surrounding components).
Part A is the bonding component (the component to which the elastomer binds). Part B is the fluid sealing interface (elastomer). Part C is the docking component (e.g., a tube, pipette, flat surface) that shuts against the elastomer fluid seal to introduce or discard fluid.
