TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a unique filament with rubber-like elasticity. It can withstand repeated stretching, compression, and twisting without damage, and offers exceptional abrasion resistance and impact strength. From phone cases to belts, it’s the go-to for moving or deformable parts.
Why choose TPU?
- Incredible Flexibility: Boasts a high elongation at break, allowing for the creation of completely foldable parts that snap back to their original shape.
- Extreme Durability: TPU is among the most wear-resistant 3D printing materials. Its layers are nearly impossible to delaminate by force.
- Vibration & Noise Isolation: Excellent energy absorption makes it perfect for vibration isolation mounts, bumpers, or quiet-running rollers.
When NOT to use TPU?
- High Printing Difficulty: Very soft TPU (like 85A) is prone to buckling in the extruders. A Direct Drive extruder setup is highly recommended.
- Messy Supports: Supports are extremely difficult to remove from flexible materials. Aim to design parts without supports or use the same material for support.
- Slow Print Speeds: To ensure consistent feeding, print speeds typically need to be limited to 15-30 mm/s (unless using specialized high-speed TPU).
Best Practices
- Print Temp: 210°C – 235°C
- Bed Temp: 0°C – 50°C (Minimal shrinkage; a heated bed is often unnecessary)
- Extruder Type: Direct Drive is the best setup for printing TPU.
- Cooling: 50% – 100% Fan Speed.
- Storage: TPU is extremely hygroscopic. Wet TPU will “pop” during printing and leave craters on the surface. Drying before use is essential.