SILIKE Introduces Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 to Enable Stable Matte Finish and High-Performance TPU Film Surfaces

TPU film matte technology is becoming increasingly important in high-performance film manufacturing, where both aesthetic appearance and processing stability are required. Traditional matte solutions often rely on surface coatings or mineral fillers, which may lead to migration, inconsistent gloss levels, or reduced long-term durability.

SILIKE silicone modified TPU particle technology provides a structural approach to TPU film surface modification, enabling stable matte finish, improved anti-blocking performance, and reliable extrusion behavior without compromising material flexibility.

SILIKE has highlighted its Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 as an advanced material solution designed to enable stable matte surface control, improved processing stability, and enhanced tactile performance in TPU film systems. The technology responds to increasing industry demand for premium surface aesthetics and reliable large-scale TPU film production.

As TPU films continue to expand across packaging, automotive interiors, consumer electronics, and flexible functional materials, manufacturers are facing growing pressure to balance optical appearance, processing efficiency, and long-term surface stability. According to recent industry reporting, TPU films are increasingly used in applications such as automotive interior components, acoustic systems, and flexible functional laminates due to their durability and design adaptability. (Source: Thermoplastic Polyurethane Films Market 2026 - 2033)

At the same time, new developments in TPU film technologies—particularly in printed electronics and automotive haptics—are accelerating demand for materials that deliver both functional performance and consistent surface aesthetics. Recent collaborations in the automotive sector highlight TPU films as key substrates for next-generation flexible interior systems integrating sensing, touch control, and adaptive interfaces. (Source Covestro, Genofort target automotive haptics with TPU film technology)

Stable matte TPU film enabled by 3135 technology.

Structural Approach to Matte TPU Surface Design

SILIKE’s Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 adopts a structural modification approach based on silicone elastomer dispersion within a TPU-compatible polyester carrier system. Instead of relying on surface coatings, external fillers, or migrating slip agents, the technology modifies the internal micro-phase structure of TPU during processing.

This structural design enables controlled light scattering within the material matrix, resulting in a stable matte appearance that is intrinsic to the TPU film rather than applied externally. The system is designed to maintain surface consistency during continuous extrusion and roll-to-roll processing.

Key Functional Characteristics (Based on Product Design)

According to SILIKE’s product design framework, Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 is engineered to deliver:

  • Stable matte surface appearance in TPU film systems
  • Improved surface touch perception with reduced stickiness
  • Non-migrating performance stability
  • Enhanced anti-blocking behavior in film winding processes
  • Compatibility with TPU extrusion and film processing systems

The material is supplied in pellet form and designed for direct incorporation into TPU processing workflows without the need for additional surface treatment steps.

Industry Challenges Driving Adoption
Application Expansion in TPU Film Markets
From Surface Treatment to Material-Level Design

Traditional matte TPU film solutions often rely on mineral fillers, coatings, or external additives. However, these approaches can introduce trade-offs such as surface degradation, inconsistent gloss levels, or additive migration over time.

In contrast, structural modification technologies are gaining attention as the industry shifts toward long-term performance stability and scalable manufacturing efficiency. Recent technical discussions in polymer processing highlight that TPU film surface quality is increasingly dependent on formulation-level control rather than post-processing treatments. 

 
 

Test Data & Performance Validation

To evaluate the performance of Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 in TPU film applications, SILIKE conducted a comparative film extrusion test using a standard formulation. In the evaluation, 10% of 3135 was uniformly blended with polyester TPU, followed by direct casting to produce a 10-micron TPU film. The resulting samples were then analyzed for key optical and surface performance indicators, including haze, light transmittance, and surface gloss, and compared against a conventional matte TPU material.

Test Data & Performance Validation

The results demonstrate that the incorporation of 3135 effectively modifies the internal micro-phase structure of TPU, enabling a more controlled light scattering behavior that contributes to a stable matte surface appearance. At the same time, the material maintains good processing compatibility in standard melt blending and extrusion systems without requiring additional granulation steps. According to SILIKE’s technical data, the product is designed with a Shore A hardness of 85 and a polyester TPU carrier system, supporting balanced mechanical integrity while enhancing surface aesthetics and anti-blocking performance. These results confirm its suitability for high-consistency TPU film production where both visual uniformity and processing stability are critical.

SILIKE is a materials technology company specializing in silicone-based polymer modification systems, including functional masterbatches and elastomeric additives designed to improve processing performance, surface quality, and durability across TPU, plastics, and engineered polymer systems.

Soft Modified TPU Particle 3135 represents a significant step forward in TPU film surface engineering by integrating matte appearance control, soft-touch enhancement, and non-migrating structural stability within a single material system. By shifting from traditional surface treatments to internal micro-phase design, SILIKE provides manufacturers with a more consistent and scalable approach to achieving premium TPU film aesthetics. As demand continues to grow for high-performance, visually refined, and process-stable TPU films across automotive, packaging, and consumer applications, this technology offers a practical pathway toward more reliable and design-driven material solutions in advanced polymer processing.

Contact

SILIKE Silicone Materials Team
Website: https://www.si-tpv.com/
Email: sale@levvymetal.com
Inquiry: Available via official website contact form

Powder Coat Booths

For those larger-sized parts, or smaller quantity runs, we have 2 independent powder coat booths and ovens. The quality, durability and affordability of today’s powder coating finishes make this the process of choice for world-class companies.

Powder coating advantages over other forms of coating are many. Materials used in the Powder coating process can be metals and non-metals that come in a multitude of thicknesses, textures, colors, etc. Another of Powder coating’s biggest advantages over conventional coatings is its ability to create finishes in many different textures. Powder Coating Booths allow us the ability to apply these advantages to large products.

Wet Paint Line

Tri-State Fabricators runs a full-service conveyor line for painting. Wet painting can provide protection or decoration to many different part styles. From start to finish, every project is easier to undergo random and point-based inspection by our skilled painting team.

Advantages to our Wet Paint Line are these lines start with product prep and ends with a thorough inspection of a high quality finished product. Our ability to complete large and small projects with a superior finish and doing so in a timely and economical fashion. This passes along the savings in production to our customers. When powder coating ins not an option, our Wet Paint Line gets the job done right the first time.

Wet Paint Booths

When the parts get big and heavy we roll-out our custom paint racks and oversize booth. By utilizing our partnerships with all the major paint brands, we can match virtually any color with wet paint.

The advantages of having access to a Wet Paint Booth are many. Large projects of many different shapes can be loaded into the booth. The Wet Paint Booth offers an environment that is much more controlled than a typical parts painting operation.

Not only are they used because of their controlled environment, but they’re are also advantageous when it comes to applying paint to parts that are needed in industries that require specialty coatings such as medical, aerospace, etc.

Military CARC

Our military forces have some very high standards when it comes to the finish of their vehicles and equipment. From the first pre-treatment step to final coat, it takes a great deal of knowledge and experience to protect the men and women of our armed forces. They deserve only the best, and Tri-State Fabricators provides it.

All of our processes are closely monitored by our staff and management teams. Both of which are highly trained in the processes of metal fabrication and finishing. Tri-State Fabricators’ goal is to always fully satisfy each and every customer, including the military. We will always put a 110% into what we do.

Glass-Bead Blasting

Abrasive media blasting is an excellent way to remove old paint, rust, and increase the paint/powder adhesion. Glass beads produce a much smoother and brighter finish than angular abrasives; leaving the part clean yet without any dimensional change. Chemically inert and environmentally friendly, we can recycle our beads approximately 30 times; making them a more preferred method of metal cleaning or surface finishing.

Advantages to Glass Bead Blasting are many. Glass bead blast media is used when a project is needing rough surfaces need to become smooth for applications of coatings such as paint. It is typically used to clean paint and rust from a product surface without deforming the surface it is being used on. Overall, compared to many other blasting media, Glass Bead Blasting is a very economical choice and those savings are always passed on to our customers.

Part Washing

Tri-State Fabricators utilize a zinc phosphate wash to clean and etch the material to ensure the best paint adhesion possible. The unique design of our 3-stage wash system does the work like a 5-stage. From Cleaning and rinsing to conversion coating and post-treatment, Our Part Washing process is a complete service and works throughout the fabrication service and the finishing service.

Along with the previously mentioned benefits, Curing is a vital chemical reaction that leaves the product finish hard and relatively safe from mild abrasion and aggressive corrosion. This process can be done in more than one way; ambient air-dry or in curing ovens at temps that exceed 240°.

Burn-Off Oven

From fixing paint mistakes (someone else’s of course) to simply cleaning our paint line hooks, our burn-off oven is put to good use. After a quick burn-off, a little clean up, and a fresh coat of paint, your parts will look better than new.

Why does our Burn-Off Oven work so well? Because super heating the air around parts turns the materials into ashes. From paint and powder coatings to rubber and machining oils, high temps do the job without degrading the integrity of the part.

Masking

Masking is a vital part of producing high quality products. We have die-cut masking patterns to protect machined surfaces as well as a wide range of plugs and caps to protect threaded holes and bolts. We provide permanent and temporary masking.

Masking allows the selected sections of a product to be protected from a fabrication or finishing service. This can be with both chemicals when etching and tapes, paints when only finishing just a section of the product. Masking is great in aiding the customization process of a project.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a photographic process that transfers artwork onto a porous nylon screen which allows colored ink to flow through the screen and be deposited on an aluminum or plastic component. We can generally have just about any design created onto a screen for your parts.

Some of the advantages of Screen Printing are, brand recognition for your business displaying on your products, assembly instructions, product warnings/hazards, etc. Tri-State Fabricators produces Screen Printing of the highest quality so you know it’s durable.

Metal Finishing

Metal Finishing is the art of treating the exterior portion of product, often metal but can also be made of other materials, so that the surface is clean and free of any debris. Then the process of applying coats or either paint of powder coat takes place. This coating process improves the quality of the product in both appearance and resistance to wear and corrosion.

Tri-State Fabricators, Inc., understands that a project typically isn’t complete until a high-quality finish has been added to your product. This is why our painting and powder coating teams continuously inspect the products throughout the Metal Finishing process.