Why choose Hytrel® 4556?

Against the backdrop of increasing performance requirements for elastomers, Hytrel® 4556, a member of the TPC-ET family from DuPont, is emerging as a core material for flexible applications in multiple industries. It combines the moulding advantages of plastic with the elastic properties of rubber, and is suitable for scenarios that require toughness, durability and process flexibility. Whether it's automotive parts, electronic components or medical and consumer products, Hytrel® 4556 offers a reliable solution.

In this paper, we look at the core properties, typical applications, processing, material benefits, customer feedback and supply value.

01 | Core material properties

Hytrel® 4556 is a granular thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPC-ET material) with the following distinctive features:

Flexibility and quick recovery from deformation

The material stretches several times its original length without breaking and has excellent resilience, making it ideal for parts subjected to repetitive force or dynamic motion.

Excellent temperature stability

It maintains structural properties at continuous operating temperatures up to 85°C and remains flexible down to -40°C.

Excellent weather and UV resistance

UV stabilisers make the material resistant to ageing and brittleness during long-term outdoor use.

Stable electrical properties

It boasts high resistivity and dielectric strength, effectively ensuring insulation safety in electronic and electrical products.

Multi-process compatibility

The material supports a variety of conventional thermoplastic processes, including injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, and coating, making it suitable for high-volume industrial production.

Good environmental compliance

It complies with RoHS and basic flame retardancy requirements (UL94 HB), offering regulatory advantages for both consumer and industrial products.

02 | Typical application directions

The material properties of Hytrel® 4556 make it suitable for a wide range of applications in the following areas:

🚗 Automotive industry

Oil seals, vibration damping components, dust cover
Wiring harness jackets, plug seals
Interior components (good tactility and UV resistance)

⚙ Industrial & Mechanical

Industrial hoses, conveyor belt components
Corrosion-resistant seals, dynamic bushings
Flexible couplings, pressure cushions

📱 Consumer Electronics

Cable sheathing and encapsulation
Anti-vibration pads, flexible interface encapsulation
Wearable Device Flexible Structures

🩺 Medical & Sports

Medical device housings
Sports shoe soles, protective gear linings
Flexible connectors for fitness equipment

03 | Process suitability and process recommendations

Hytrel® 4556 is stable in the moulding process and is suitable for most standard thermoplastic processing equipment:

  ・Injection moulding: melt temperatures of 190-210°C and mould temperatures of 20-60°C are recommended for the manufacture of precision or complex structures.

  ・Extrusion moulding: suitable for continuous production of film and tubes, special screw configurations are recommended to improve melt uniformity.

  ・Thermoforming/calendering: for complex surfaces or large-size parts, heating time and cooling rate should be reasonably controlled.

  ・Coating and overmoulding: good adhesion to metal or plastic substrates, for wear-resistant coatings or flexible composite structures.

Processing advantages at a glance:

  ・High melt fluidity for the production of thin-walled and complex parts.

  ・Reduced pre-drying time due to low material hygroscopicity

  ・High thermal stability, low degradation, reduced scrap rate

04 | Hytrel® 4556 Data Sheet

Looking for the full datasheet? Contact us for more technical information.

05 | Innovations and competitive advantages in the industry

Hytrel® 4556 offers unique advantages compared to common TPE or rubber materials:

✅ Higher mechanical strength: 34 MPa tensile strength, much higher than ordinary elastomers.

✅ Wider temperature adaptability: toughness at -40°C and no deformation at high temperatures.

✅ Longer service life: fatigue and abrasion resistant, suitable for dynamic applications.

✅ More environmentally friendly processing: recyclable, reducing waste.

In the highly competitive elastomer market, Hytrel® 4556 is the material of choice for high-end applications, with the technical backing and consistent performance of the DuPont brand.

06 | User feedback and industry practice

Feedback from customers around the world shows that Hytrel® 4556 has performed consistently and reliably:

  ・Automotive manufacturers report more than 200% improvement in dust cover life and better fit than silicone rubber solutions.

  ・Electronics customers note that the flexible cable jacket maintains its integrity under repeated bending conditions, effectively reducing aftermarket returns.

  ・Sports brand companies call it ‘the ideal shoe material substitute with both light weight and high resilience’, and it is well received by end users.

07 | Recommended materials in the same series

Depending on the actual performance requirements, the following similar materials can be used as alternatives or supplements:

08 | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Hytrel® 4556 resistant to oils and chemicals?

A: Yes, it has good resistance to most mineral oils and non-polar solvents, but strong acid/alkali environments require test verification.

Q2: Is this material suitable for food contact applications?

A: Compliance with FDA or EU 10/2011 standards needs to be confirmed, and it is recommended to consult DuPont official data.

Q3: How can I optimise the moulding process of Hytrel® 4556?

A: It is recommended to control the melt temperature at 190-210°C to avoid too high degradation.

09 | Our Advantages as a Supplier

As a professional international raw material supplier, Juyuan provides customers with the following support:

✅ Genuine product guarantee to ensure the original factory original package

✅ Standing stock and global logistics system, fast response to order demand.

✅ Provide samples, physical data and processing instructions to reduce the cost of trial and error.

✅ We can recommend alternative models or provide a variety of TPC-ET solutions to meet customers' differentiated needs.

Conclusion: Hytrel® 4556 - The Ideal Connection between Industry and Innovation

As the global manufacturing industry is transforming into lightweight, flexible and environmentally friendly, Hytrel® 4556 provides users not only with materials, but also with a kind of robust and flexible design freedom. Juyuan will continue to provide you with high quality materials and professional services to help you lead the market.

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