TPO/TPE

[woodsie]

This is probably a newbie question, but what is the difference, if any, between TPO and TPE?

Are they close enough that they can be used interchangeably?

 

[Demon3]

TPE is thermoplastic elastomer
TPO is thermoplastic olefin

See here for example

http://www.eastman.com/Markets/Coatings/CoatingsforPlastics/FAQs.htm

7th point down. Also here

http://www.chemstop.com/faq.html

So TPO is a subset of the class of TPE. Both are generic terms used to describe a range of polymers so you cannot be sure what the properties are when someone says TPO or TPE. You would have to test a particular material to judge suitability for your application.