WE PRINT TPU!

What is TPU?

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a flexible filament commonly used in FDM printing and additive manufacturing. Here's a summary of its characteristics, compared to other common materials like PLA, PETG, and ABS:

Pros of TPU:

  1. Flexibility: TPU is highly flexible and elastic, making it ideal for printing objects that need to bend, stretch, or compress.

  2. Impact Resistance: It offers excellent impact resistance, making it suitable for producing parts that need to withstand mechanical stress.

  3. Chemical Resistance: TPU exhibits good resistance to chemicals, oils, and abrasion, making it suitable for industrial applications.

  4. Low Shore Hardness: TPU has a low Shore hardness, meaning it feels soft to the touch, which can be desirable for certain applications like phone cases or footwear.

  5. High Toughness: TPU is tough and resilient, able to recover its shape after deformation, which is useful for functional prototypes and parts.

Cons of TPU:

  1. Difficulty in Printing: TPU can be challenging to print with due to its flexibility and tendency to deform under pressure. It requires specific printer settings and sometimes a direct drive extruder to prevent filament jams.

  2. Lower Detail Resolution: TPU may not achieve the same level of detail as other materials like PLA or PETG due to its flexible nature.

  3. Limited Heat Resistance: TPU has lower heat resistance compared to materials like PETG or ABS, limiting its use in applications requiring high-temperature stability.

Comparison with Other Materials:

  • PLA: TPU offers flexibility and impact resistance that PLA lacks. PLA is more rigid and brittle compared to TPU.

  • PETG: TPU is significantly more flexible and elastic compared to PETG, making it suitable for applications requiring stretchability.

  • ABS: ABS is stiffer and more rigid than TPU but lacks the same level of flexibility and impact resistance.

General Application Uses:

  1. Flexible Prototypes: TPU is ideal for prototyping flexible parts such as gaskets, seals, and hinges.

  2. Footwear: It is commonly used in 3D printing shoe components like insoles, midsoles, and outsoles due to its cushioning properties.

  3. Phone Cases and Covers: TPU's flexibility and impact resistance make it suitable for printing protective cases and covers for electronic devices.

  4. Medical Applications: TPU's biocompatibility and flexibility make it suitable for producing medical devices, prosthetics, and orthotics.

  5. Soft Robotics: TPU is used in soft robotics applications due to its ability to deform and recover shape, enabling natural movements.

Variations of TPU for FDM 3D Printing Filament:

  1. Flexible TPU: This is the standard flexible TPU filament used in most applications. It offers high flexibility and elasticity.

  2. TPU Blends: Some TPU filaments are blended with other materials like PLA or PETG to improve printability or enhance specific properties such as rigidity or impact resistance.

  3. TPU Shore Hardness: TPU filaments are available in different Shore hardness ratings, ranging from very soft (e.g., 60A) to relatively harder (e.g., 95A). The Shore hardness affects the flexibility and stiffness of the printed parts, allowing for customization based on application requirements.

  4. Specialty TPU: There are specialty TPU filaments available with added features like enhanced UV resistance, flame retardancy, or conductivity for specific applications. These specialty TPUs offer tailored properties for specialized uses.