Get in Touch with Teng Yang Company
Polyester TPU Hot Melt Adhesive Film
Polyester TPU Film (0.01–0.5mm) — High-Strength Hot Melt Adhesive Film
polyester tpu film glues fabric to fabric, fabric to foam, fabric to leather-without sewing, solvents, or liquid adhesives. A single dry film activation layer replaces seams to make one solid, watertight joint. At Tengyang we custom-engineer our own polyester-type TPU hot melt adhesive film to the thickness grade, width, and melting-point you need for your lamination line, garment construction, or footwear component-cleaner bonding than stitch or liquid adhesives offer.
0.01–0.5mm
Thickness rangePolyester
Chemistry (ester-based TPU)Heat-activated
Bonding methodIncluded
Release paper backingOEM
Thickness / width / color / formulationSample-first
Order processBONDING
When Sewing and Solvent Glue Can’t Keep Up With Elastic Bonding
When you sew, the stitches create a raised ridge on a stretch garment that can irritate your skin during any high-motion movement; the stitches perforate exactly the locations where stress points will most often be put on the garment. With solvent-based adhesives, you’ve liquid that’s difficult to meter evenly across a film less than .01 mm thick and a drying step that adds VOCs plus a potential for hydrolysis in humid manufacturing settings-a hidden cost that shows up once you’ve cut the fabric and invested it into the component.
In either failure mode, the problem lies with applying a mechanical (stitching) or chemical (liquid adhesive) process to the base material itself without modification. That’s why, rather than address the problem at the assembly level, Tengyang focuses on modifying the material. We design our polyester-type TPU hot melt film as a dry solid film that only becomes an adhesive layer when subjected to heat and pressure, thereby eliminating the need for metering liquid, punching holes in the fabric with stitches, or managing solvent emissions during processing, all while produced on our in-house Shanghai casting and slitting line and offered in thickness grades from .01mm to .5mm.
The Shift to Heat-Activated Bonding
You’ll find this solution to the problems of stitched and liquid-bonded seams reflected in the market. Global demand for the thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive market, including hot melt tpu film, is forecast to surge, largely due to garment and footwear producers switching to heat-activated film to replace their stitched and solvent-bonded seams.
Source: MarketsandMarkets, Thermoplastic Polyurethane Adhesive Market, Report CH 9270, published Jan 2025
6.7%
CAGR Growth (2024-2029)
$1.76B
Projected Value by 2029
Polyester vs. Polyether Backbone
The two primary thermoplastic polyurethane chemical structures that form our hot melt bonding materials are polyester tpu film and polyether tpu (a third, lesser-used chemistry, polycaprolactone TPU, is available as well). While all three consist of dry, solvent-free films activated by heat, the differences are in their backbones.
Polyether TPU: Abrasion resistance is replaced by hydrolytic stability.
Polyester TPU: Reverses that structure, offering superior abrasion, oil, and fuel resistance.
It’s an easy thing to overlook when consulting data sheets and arguably the number one mistake buyers make.
“
When we reviewed all options across polyester and polyether based films, polyester was the way to go. It held up extremely well in all of the chemical exposures – including fuel, oil and abrasion exposure – whereas the polyether versions would show hydrolysis issues in low humidity storage.
Senior Application Engineer, Tengyang
EVALUATION NOTE
Worth Correcting
Solvent-free hot melt bonding isn’t always the most sustainable choice by default, and it doesn’t automatically make it “greener.” The honest version of that statement is that the environmental benefit come from not emitting VOC solvents and liquid waste, not from the chemistry of the adhesive itself. Tengyang won’t claim a blanket win on sustainability — the material has to be a good fit for the bonding application for any of these advantages to pay off. This is the trade-off every buyer should be asking about and not assuming.
One Bonding Step Replaces Two Failure Points
Stitching and solvent-based lamination both come with their own unique modes of failure — stitch holes that concentrate stress and liquid glues that require another drying step to create a stable joint. Heat-activated polyester tpu film solves both problems in a single process step, and it’s why manufacturers moving to stitched or solvent-bonded construction often experience a noticeable drop in the number of bonding-related rejects in their quality inspections. This is a trend that appears throughout the industry, not a figure we would present as an exact percentage without specific testing tailored to your substrate.
Want the technical breakdown for your specific fabric and application?
Tengyang Polyester TPU Film,
Grades & Specifications
Our polyester grade of polyester tpu film roll is available on the same in-house production lines that produce our other adhesive film products: EVA, PA, PES, and PO. The polyester grade is designed for use in applications that require a high level of oil and solvent resistance, as well as excellent performance in low to moderate humidity storage. This material is commonly used in footwear uppers, lamination made of leather, garments, hot transfer printing, reflective materials, automotive interiors, and packaging applications.
All Tengyang tpu film rolls come with a release paper backing, as a standard inclusion. This is by design and not an oversight: some customers sourcing from other companies report that some sheets don’t have a paper backing at all, which causes problems during lamination processes the moment the roll is received. Buyers also report having trouble finding a company willing to make a custom formulation. Tengyang accepts OEM formulation requests because most other tpu film manufacturers only sell a set catalog of products and are unwilling to process custom orders below a high minimum.
While a generic tpu lamination film may be available off-the-shelf, each grade listed below serves as a starting point for discussing your specific application rather than a finished product. Even within the same 0.05mm film, a melt temperature that performs perfectly on a woven polyester might bubble on a coated or laminated fabric if the proper melt temperature grade isn’t specified — a parameter-matching problem the MDPI synthesis study cited above addresses directly for stitch-free bonding applications.
Typical Grade Parameters
— Request a datasheet for exact per-grade values
| Property | Typical Range / Option | Customizable |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.01–0.5mm | Yes, per order |
| Width | [Contact for available width range] | Yes |
| Release paper | Included standard | Bare film optional |
| Melting activation | Low / medium / high-temperature grades | Grade selected by application |
| Color | Natural; custom color match available | Yes |
| Chemistry | Polyester-type (ester-based) TPU | — |
| Elongation | Varies by grade — request datasheet for exact values | — |
| Substrate compatibility | Excellent adhesion to nylon, polyester, spandex blends, leather, foam | — |
| Packaging / roll form | Roll, custom length | Yes |
Quality Certification & Testing Documentation
Upon request, Tengyang will provide detailed certification documents for all grades regarding their peel-strength and thermal-stability testing. Rather than presenting generalized claims of quality, we prefer to provide the actual testing methodology to support your evaluations. Our production lines run the same in-house testing methods on custom orders, whether your order is for 50kg or 5,000kg, before it’s shipped.
CHEMISTRY
Tengyang 3-Type TPU Chemistry Selector Polyester vs Polyether vs Polycaprolactone
Hot melt thermoplastic film for urethane is offered with three distinct backbone chemistries-polyester, polyether, and polycaprolactone-and this distinction isn’t merely cosmetic. Since backbone chemistry dictates the bonding performance characteristics that a production line requires, a 2024 peer-reviewed study of the synthesis of dual-curing thermoplastic polyurethane concluded that selecting the incorrect chemistry may result in the failure of stitch-free bonding results, even when all other variables are carefully controlled (Source: Lin, S.Y. et al., Polymers, MDPI, 2024, 16(4), 467).
The trade-off is precisely what Tengyang engineers and quantifies for each OEM customer before recommending a specific grade-incurring the penalty of choosing the wrong chemistry after production begins is far more costly than discovering the error beforehand.
Polyester
Polyether
Polycaprolactone
Decision Matrix Parameters
Abrasion resistance
High — workhorse grade for wear zones
Oil & solvent resistance
High
Heat resistance
Stable in dry heat
Hydrolytic stability
Lower — degrades faster in sustained high humidity
Low-temp flexibility
Moderate
Antibacterial property
Standard
Breathability
Standard
Typical applications
Garment labels, footwear, leather lamination, wear zones
Best avoided when
Long-term high-humidity storage without climate control
Abrasion resistance
Moderate
Oil & solvent resistance
Moderate
Heat resistance
Stable across wider range
Hydrolytic stability
High
Low-temp flexibility
High
Antibacterial property
Enhanced — suited to medical-adjacent use
Breathability
Higher — suited to waterproof-breathable membranes
Typical applications
Waterproof-breathable textiles, medical-adjacent, cold-climate gear
Best avoided when
Abrasion-heavy, oil-exposed zones
Abrasion resistance
Moderate-high
Oil & solvent resistance
Moderate
Heat resistance
Moderate
Hydrolytic stability
Moderate-high
Low-temp flexibility
High
Antibacterial property
Standard
Breathability
Standard-high
Typical applications
Specialty composites, niche flexible bonding
Best avoided when
Cost-sensitive high-volume commodity runs
Not sure which of the three chemistries fits your substrate?
Get a RecommendationWhere Polyester TPU Hot Melt Film Is Used
Whether your particular needs include hot melt adhesive film for textile fabric or hot melt adhesive film for metal-to-fabric assembly, selecting the appropriate chemistry for the substrate will always prove more critical than any other specification on the datasheet-in fact, the same polyester grade may exhibit excellent bond integrity when applied to woven nylon, but perform poorly on a coated or laminated surface that it wasn’t originally designed for. Below, Tengyang offers an application-specific recommendation for each use case, because a film grade that functions well in one application may fail to meet expectations in another without a slight formulation adjustment.
01
Stitch-free underwear & activewear
Heat-sealed seams do away with abrasive raised stitches; elastic waist bonding creates even tension without a stitch focus; shaping and contouring panels add hidden support where stress occurs.
02
Footwear
Bonds uppers to midsoles, reinforces toe and heel components-in 0.05-0.15mm range-with flexibility and strength that eliminate the weakness that can result from thin stitching materials.
03
Leather lamination
Bonds backing and lining to leather, creating a clean finish without the need for glues along exposed edges.
04
Heat transfer printing & reflective materials
Works as the carrier layer, attaching prints or reflective pieces to garments with no visible adhesive line.
05
Automotive interiors
Bonds fabric to trim panels and headliners, replacing mechanical fasteners for automotive interior assembly.
06
Packaging & building decoration
Adheres laminates films and foils to substrate materials for use in non-textile industrial converting lines.
Aside from textiles, our polyester tpu hot melt film also finds use in industrial laminate composites- not just garments. A Chinese utility patent (CN204983545U) describes using a 0.05mm TPU hot-melt layer to fuse an anti-slip, wear-resistant coating onto a plastic floor tile. This works because the same heat-activated bonding principle outlined here applies to both rigid composite substrates and soft, flexible fabrics- something you can’t count on from a textile-adhesive supplier who only tests onwovenfabric and offers no confirmation if your application strays from catalog specs.
See which grade fits your application.
WhatsApp Betty for a Quick Spec Check →STANDARDS
Testing Transparency & Quality Assurance
More than just price, the single biggest concern we hear from first-time customers inquiring about a Chinese tpu film supplier is validation. Criteria for choosing the right supplier are rarely written down anywhere; instead, it becomes a gamble on whether the product will perform on your line as claimed on paper. Will that piece of film hold as you expect, or will a failed batch teach you an expensive lesson late in the game?
Because the cost of late-stage failure is so high, Tengyang integrates product verification into the ordering process, not as an afterthought. Every custom-grade film under goes internal quality control checks, including: bond strength testing against your specified substrate material; heat resistance tests covering the entire 70-180°C activation range; and, for polyester-type materials, accelerated aging tests that simulate your actual storage conditions to ensure hydrolytic stability’s durability — the same synthesis-and-testing parameters examined in the peer-reviewed dual-curing TPU study referenced earlier on this page.
For new clients, Tengyang always initiates the process with a sample roll- following the same logic behind the advice to establish a rigorous sample testing protocol before committing to bulk procurement: obtain a sample roll, run it through your equipment against the exact substrate you intend to use, and evaluate the bond. While it’s more costly to us in the short term than shipping directly to bulk quantities, this allows you to confirm fit independently. It’s the most honest equivalent to a “trust us”- “test it first” instead.
What to Ask Any TPU Hot Melt Film Supplier
Before you buy from any supplier (ourselves included!), make sure you ask for:
- A sample roll, specifically tested against YOUR substrate, not a generic swatch.
- The precise melting and activation temperatures of the specific grade you want.
- Confirmation that the material come with a release liner if your production process needs it.
Ordering Guide, Thickness, Width & Sample-First Sourcing
If you’re searching for where to buy tpu hot melt adhesive film for the first time, the single largest risk you’ll encounter is overpaying — it’s signing up for a bulk order before verifying if the particular grade you order actually bonds your specific substrate. Because the cost of an incorrectly specified grade is measured not in pre-purchase dollars but in costly post-production material waste, Tengyang orders the customer’s evaluation first and the production quote second.
Contact for quoteWhat drives the cost of a polyester tpu film order?
Not one thing — rather, a number of things we discuss and clarify with each customer, against the backdrop of a thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive market growing at 6.7% CAGR, where raw-material cost pressure is a real factor buyers should expect suppliers to be upfront about.
The base thickness and width – custom cut widths are priced higher than those available in our standard roll dimensions.
Melting point grade – low, medium, or high temperature formulations represent varying raw material ratios.
Release paper vs. bare film – our rolls include backing paper but there’s a minor added cost associated with it which some high-volume buyers omit.
OEM formulation work – color matches and/or custom application-specific adjustments to formulation are quoted in addition to stock grades.
Order volume and roll length – there’s a difference in price between standard length rolls and cut-to-length short orders.
Direct Technical Lead Access: For an official quote based on your specific thickness, width, melting point and volume, please [Contact for quote]. Our direct to technical lead Betty Fang and team process requests.
Typical path for new buyers
Production schedule depends on whether the grade you need is in ongoing production or needs to be custom formulated.
01
Describe your application and substrate to us
02
Receive sample roll(s) tested to your specification
03
Test it on your own equipment
04
Approve for production
We aren’t a trading company reselling inventory
We aren’t a trading company reselling inventory from another plant. All of our grades are manufactured on our own casting and slitting line, which allows us to custom-tune thickness, melting point and other formulations, rather than simply selling whatever we’ve in stock.
Polyester TPU Film Technical & Optimization Tools
TPU Hot Melt Film Bonding Troubleshooter
Select the symptom you are seeing on your production line to see the most likely causes.
Access TroubleshooterRoll Coverage & Panel Count Calculator
Estimate how many bonded panels a roll of Tengyang TPU film will cover, before you request a sample or place an order.
Open CalculatorSample Request Builder
Configure your grade on the right, then take the summary straight into a quote request — no need to describe your specs from scratch.
Start RequestFAQ
Knowledge Base
Polyester TPU Film FAQ
What is polyester TPU film?
polyester tpu film is an ester-based (polyester) thermoplastic polyurethane hot melt adhesive film used to laminate fabric to fabric, fabric to leather, leather to foam and other substrate combinations without stitching or wet glues. It’s supplied as a dry film that’s applied with heat.
Are TPU hot melt adhesive film and TPU film the same product?
No. “TPU film” is a broad category that also includes packaging and protective films. “TPU hot melt adhesive film” is the heat-activated bonding version this page covers.
What is the difference between high and low temperature TPU hot melt adhesive film?
Low-temperature formulations activate at the low end of the thermal range and are suitable for heat sensitive materials such as thin, lightweight fabrics, while high-temperature formulations require higher heat for activation and achieve stronger bonds on more demanding substrates like thicker textiles and heavy leather. The selection depend on the heat resistance of your substrate and desired bond strength; testing samples before ordering matters more than picking from a spec sheet alone.
How do I choose the thickness for leather hot melt adhesive film?
Different thicknesses of film are available – 0.01 to 0.05 mm is best for lightweight lamination fabrics where flexibility is of greatest importance, while thicknesses from 0.1 to 0.3 mm and above are most common for applications like leather and foam bonding where a strong and durable bond layer is needed. We recommend that you try out a sample on your specific leather stock before purchasing any volume.
What is hot melt adhesive used for?
Hot melt adhesives Bond fabric, foam, plastic, leather and other materials without the need for solvents or liquid glues. TPU hot melt film is commonly used in the garment and footwear industry, often to replace stitching for stitch-free products, or for bonding the components of products such as upper shoe and sole.
Is hot melt adhesive permanent?
Yes, once activated by heat and then allowed to cool, the bond is permanent under normal usage conditions. The bond won’t re-melt at normal room temperatures or during standard wash and wear conditions, although excessive heat can cause any thermoplastic adhesive to re-activate. We recommend confirming your end-use temperature range with us before finalizing a grade for that reason, particularly for automotive interior or outdoor-adjacent applications where surface temperatures can climb well above typical indoor conditions.
Which raw materials make up hot melt adhesive?
TPU hot melt film comes from thermoplastic polyurethane resin, diisocyanates reacted with polyester or polyether polyols. That polyol chain is what determines the grade.
What are the disadvantages of polyester film?
polyester type TPU has a lower hydrolytic stability than polyether tpu, which makes it less resistant to long term exposure to humidity. We suggest polyester TPU for applications not involving prolonged periods of exposure to moisture, for waterproof-breathable usage polyether TPU may be more appropriate.
Can TPU hot melt adhesive film be flame retardant?
Fire resistant TPU hot melt grades are available, used in applications such as automotive interiors, where flame resistance is an important safety consideration. Please let’s know if fire retardant performance is required for your application when you’re requesting a sample so we can supply the correct formulation.
Why does TPU hot melt adhesive film bubble during lamination?
Bubbling in the bond layer generally indicates that the activation temperature, pressure and dwell time weren’t correct for the substrate in question. This may mean that the adhesive hasn’t been fully activated, or air/moisture was trapped during heating. This is precisely why we encourage testing a sample of film on your production line before ordering larger volumes.
Is TPU hot melt adhesive film environmentally friendly?
It’s solvent-free and thus offers a reduction in VOC emissions and liquid waste as compared with traditional solvent-based adhesives – a definite environmental benefit. However, we’d rather provide precise information regarding what it removes than offer general sustainability claims – overall impact still depends on energy consumption and end-of-life recyclability, not the adhesive chemistry alone.
How water-resistant is TPU hot melt adhesive film?
TPU hot melt film creates a water-resistant bond layer once activated, and polyether-type films in particular are often used for waterproof-breathable textile. Polyester-type films also resist moisture, but they perform best in applications where immersion isn’t required, given their lower hydrolytic stability.
What is the shelf life and storage environment for TPU hot melt film?
Rolls of film should be stored in a cool, dry location, out of direct sunlight and free from excessive humidity. Storage of polyester-type TPU films benefits from the additional precaution of being stored in a climate-controlled environment, taking into consideration their hydrolytic stability. Our storage data sheet details shelf-life information per grade.
Which industries use TPU hot melt adhesive film?
Typical applications for TPU hot melt film include footwear and leather goods, garments and accessories, stitch-free clothing, heat transfer prints, safety materials (reflective materials, etc.), automotive interior trims, packaging and building decorations, all requiring a solvent-free bonding solution.
Which polymers make up TPU film?
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film is produced by reacting diisocyanates with either a polyester, polyether or polycaprolactone polyol chain to form a thermoplastic elastomer – a material which is sufficiently rigid to be handled as a film, yet flexible enough to be molded and adhesive by heating.
Does TPU hot melt adhesive film come with backing paper?
Our Tengyang hot melt film comes with release paper backing as standard, please confirm with your supplier when you order – unlike some other suppliers we’ve had buyers come to us from who are supplying film without backing and this adds a great deal of handling difficulty and costs!
Can I get a custom TPU film formulation for a non-standard fabric?
Yes – this is probably the most frequent request we get from buyers that haven’t been able to get hold of a hot melt manufacturer that will produce or customise their product based on a specific fabric or lining material, or their own unique blend. We’ll work with buyers on custom breathability, elongation or activation temperature adjustments for unique combinations.
