TPO (PP-EPDM)
Polypropylene-EPDM thermoplastic olefin for bumper skins and exterior cladding.
Overview
Thermoplastic olefin (TPO) is a polypropylene/EPDM blend used for painted bumper skins, claddings, rocker mouldings and other large exterior thermoplastic parts. It combines PP stiffness with EPDM low-temperature impact. It is distinct from the library's Polypropylene page (generic PP) and from EPDM rubber (a thermoset elastomer). TPO is a thermoplastic, injection- or compression-moulded, and is the high-volume bumper-fascia material of mass-market vehicles. Paintable grades, moulded-in-colour and partially painted skins are all common. It is recyclable in the PP stream when not heavily painted or mixed.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Thermoplastic Olefin
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Bumper-skin default
- Low-temperature impact
- Paintable exterior thermoplastic
- Distinct from generic polypropylene
- Distinct from EPDM rubber
- PP-stream recyclable