As the applications of thermoplastic elastomers become increasingly widespread, people are coming into contact with this class of materials more and more often. Because this category encompasses a wide variety of elastomeric materials with diverse grades and properties, the two concepts that users most commonly encounter are TPE and TPR. Both TPE and TPR belong to the family of SBC—styrenic block copolymer—thermoplastic elastomers, which are modified alloy‑type elastomers produced through polymer blending. Consequently, many users find it difficult to distinguish between TPE and TPR and are unsure how to tell them apart. To address this common question, the following section will provide a detailed comparison of the differences between the two.

　　1. Appearance and Feel

　　TPE has a matte, light‑absorbing surface with low gloss and a smooth, silky feel. TPR features a glossy, reflective finish with high brightness and a rubbery, elastic texture; however, its smoothness is not as pronounced as that of TPE.

　　2. Substrate

　　In the elastomer industry, thermoplastic elastomers modified on an SEBS base are generally referred to as TPE, while those modified on an SBS base are called TPR; TPR exhibits superior elasticity compared to TPE. TPE features a saturated molecular structure, giving it markedly better resistance to aging, yellowing, temperature extremes, and chemical corrosion than TPR.

　　3. Processing Temperature

　　Typically, TPR can be thermoplastically processed at around 150°C, whereas TPE requires processing at approximately 180°C; of course, the exact temperature also depends on their molecular weight—higher molecular weights necessitate higher processing temperatures.

　　4. Combustion and Odor

　　TPE combustion produces a faint, light smoke with a fragrant aroma. In contrast, TPR combustion generates relatively thick, dark smoke (because SEBS is hydrogenated SBS, which has a high hydrogen content; it burns without heavy smoke and emits little odor).

　　5. Chemical Properties

　　SEBS is the hydrogenated derivative of SBS, and its chemical stability, resistance to aging and UV radiation, hydrolytic stability, and thermal resistance all surpass those of SBS. Consequently, TPEs synthesized using SEBS as the base material exhibit superior chemical stability, aging resistance, and UV‑resistance compared to TPRs based on SBS. It should be noted that, due to local naming conventions, both SEBS‑based and SBS‑based modified styrenic elastomers are sometimes referred to as TPR, thereby overlooking the distinction between SEBS‑ and SBS‑based formulations.

　　6. Properties and Applications of SEBS

　　SEBS is produced by hydrogenating aliphatic double bonds to saturate them, thereby broadening its range of applications. As a saturated thermoplastic elastomer, SEBS features a soft segment composed of saturated olefinic structures, offering superior weatherability and resistance to thermal aging compared to SBS. Moreover, its mechanical properties are more robust, enabling its use in a wider array of fields, including the manufacture of high‑end automotive components, medical device materials, toys, and wire and cable products. SEBS is non‑toxic and does not elicit allergic, mutagenic, or rejection responses in human tissues. It also exhibits excellent gas impermeability, temperature resistance, and aging resistance, and can withstand high‑temperature steam sterilization and direct UV disinfection. Consequently, it serves as an ideal base material for medical devices such as surgical drapes, surgical gowns, infusion tubing, tourniquets, blood separators, and rubber stoppers.