Polypropylene, Compounded (TPO)

Compounded Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPOs) are produced by compounding impact modifiers into polypropylene. Hard TPO's contain smaller amounts of impact modifier and have higher strength and stiffness but lower impact properties while soft TPO's contain larger amounts of impact modifier and have lower hardness, lower strength and lower stiffness. Hard TPO's may also contain some talc to maintain the stiffness that is lost when adding impact modifiers. Key characteristics of TPOs include impact resistance, temperature resistance and chemical resistance. TPO'c can be processed by injection molding, blow molding and extrusion methods. Typical applications for TPOs include interior and exterior automotive components, water craft, wheel well liners, hoods and fenders for lawn tractors, appliances, agriculture, wire and cable compounds, and roof vents.