Exhibitions

TPU animal ear tags

News posted on: 25-10-15 - by kevin - Tag Application RFID Tag Manufacturer / NewsID:253

TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane. It’s a class of polyurethane plastics that offers a unique combination of properties:

High Flexibility & Elasticity: Unlike rigid plastics, TPU can bend and flex without breaking.
Extreme Durability: Highly resistant to abrasion, tearing, impact, and harsh weather conditions (UV rays, rain, snow, temperature extremes).
Soft-Touch Feel: Softer and more pliable than materials like polyurethane (PU) or nylon, making them more comfortable for the animal.

In essence, a TPU ear tag is a highly durable, flexible, and long-lasting identification tag primarily used in modern livestock management.

Superior Durability and Longevity:
- Tear-Resistant: They are very difficult to rip or tear, even if snagged on fences or brush. This drastically reduces tag loss rates.
- Weather-Resistant: Excellent resistance to UV radiation, preventing them from becoming brittle and cracking in the sun. They also perform well in freezing temperatures and heavy rain.
- Abrasion-Resistant: The printed numbers and barcodes (often laser-engraved) last much longer because the material surface doesn’t wear down easily.
Excellent Legibility:
- TPU tags are ideal for laser engraving. The laser burns a deep, high-contrast mark into the material that won’t fade, rub off, or be scratched out. This is crucial for both visual ID and electronic RFID reading (if the tag contains a chip).
Animal Welfare and Comfort:
- The flexible and soft nature of TPU minimizes irritation and pressure on the animal’s ear. It moves with the ear rather than acting as a rigid, irritating plate.
Performance in All Climates:
- They remain flexible in cold climates (won’t shatter like some rigid plastics) and stable in hot climates (won’t warp or become overly soft).
Tamper-Evidence:
- Many TPU tags are designed as Two-Piece Tamper-Proof tags. The male component “clicks” permanently into the female component, making it very difficult to remove without destroying the tag. This is vital for traceability and security.

Feature	TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)	Polyurethane (PU)	Nylon	Polyethylene / Polypropylene
Flexibility	Very High	High	Semi-Rigid to Rigid	Semi-Rigid
Durability	Excellent (Best in class)	Good	Good (but can become brittle)	Fair to Good
Tear Resistance	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Low to Moderate
Weather/UV Resistance	Excellent	Good	Good (varies by type)	Fair (can become brittle)
Surface for Printing	Excellent for laser engraving	Good	Good	Fair
Cost	Higher	Medium	Low to Medium	Lowest

Conclusion: TPU is generally considered a premium material, offering the best overall performance and lifespan, which justifies its higher cost.

TPU tags are used across various livestock industries where durability and long-term readability are critical:

Dairy Cattle: For herd management, milk recording, and genetic tracing.
Beef Cattle: Especially in extensive range conditions where tags are exposed to rough terrain and weather.
Sheep and Goats: Their flexibility is less likely to cause injury in dense flocks.
Pigs: Resistant to chewing and rough housing.
Deer and Elk (Cervidae): In farmed game operations.