Is TPE Better Than NBR Material?

Among fitness products, TPE and NBR are two of the most commonly used materials. In this article, we will explore the key differences between TPE and NBR, helping you understand their unique characteristics, performance, and ideal applications.

TPE AND NBR FEATURES

TPE

TPE, short for thermoplastic elastomer, combines the advantages of both plastic and rubber. It is widely used in sports equipment, sealing materials, adult products, and more. TPE offers excellent anti-slip properties, good elasticity, and low odor, making it a safe and comfortable choice for fitness mats.

When used in mats or cushions, TPE generally requires a low foaming degree and fewer chemical agents, which improves both environmental friendliness and safety. TPE mats can be produced with or without a tear-proof mesh, depending on the design. Unlike PVC mats, TPE mats are often made by bonding two layers of TPE with a layer of high-strength fiber mesh, using fewer adhesives to reduce unpleasant odors.

In fact, most of the smell in mats typically comes from the glue used. However, thanks to TPE’s strong physical properties, many manufacturers choose a single-molding process without external mesh reinforcement, as the material itself provides sufficient strength and durability.

NBR

NBR, short for nitrile butadiene rubber, is a type of synthetic industrial rubber known for its excellent performance. It is primarily produced through low-temperature emulsion polymerization. NBR offers outstanding oil resistance, high wear resistance, good heat resistance, and strong adhesion, making it a popular choice for various fitness, automotive, and industrial applications.

Its disadvantages are poor low temperature resistance, poor ozone resistance, poor insulation performance, and slightly lower elasticity. As a yoga mat, elasticity is necessary. Since NBR has poor elasticity, why can it be used as a yoga mat? The great man invented a technology called "foaming", which is to add a foaming agent to the NBR raw material, and make it decompose and gasify at high temperature, like blowing a balloon, so that the NBR material produces loose and porous bubbles. Finally, the temperature is lowered and the shape becomes a sponge-like cushion. But after foaming, the cushion will become very light and affect the texture. What should I do? The great man invented a technology "filling". Before the NBR material is foamed, fillers are added in advance to increase the weight and improve the texture. The two technologies are great inventions, but unfortunately they are now mastered by unscrupulous merchants. The main peculiar smell of NBR cushions comes from the residue after the decomposition of the foaming agent, which may contain harmful gases such as ammonia and nitrogen dioxide. Now the filler of NBR yoga mats use calcium oxide, which is what we often call quicklime. The proportion is not well controlled, and you may feel a burning sensation on the skin or cause allergies during use. Wavar yoga mats have a full-screen low-priced product of 10 yuan and 20 yuan.

NBR vs. TPE

NBR PROS and CONS

Advantages: NBR is light in weight, small in density, thick in thickness, relatively resistant to wear, and low in price, suitable for beginners;

Disadvantages: The anti-slip performance is general, especially on wooden floors, it will slip, the resilience is not particularly good, and it is difficult to exert force smoothly.

TPE PROS AND CONS

Advantages:

TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) is widely recognized as an eco-friendly and non-toxic material, making it one of the most popular choices for yoga mats. It provides excellent elasticity, dependable slip resistance in dry conditions, and greater durability compared to NBR mats.

Disadvantages:

However, TPE mats are not well suited for hot yoga or high-sweat workouts, as moisture can significantly reduce surface grip and compromise their anti-slip performance. Prolonged exposure to sweat may also accelerate material degradation. In addition, TPE mats require more careful maintenance and typically have a shorter lifespan compared to some alternative materials.

So in summary, the material of TPE is better.