What is TPU Filament?

What is TPU 3D printing? TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament, a type of TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer), is unique amongst widely available 3D printing materials.

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Unlike stiff composite parts that are replacing aluminum in factories, 3D printing with TPU filament applies the many benefits of additive manufacturing to a different category of parts: strong, flexible, rubber-like parts.

Interested in learning more about the manufacturing potential of this unique 3D printing filament? Read this article for a rundown of 3D printing with TPU.
 

What are TPU filament's properties?

Industrial manufacturers 3D print with TPU to produce durable parts with rubber-like properties, without the need for casts or molds. It can stretch more than 5x its original shape before failing.

Parts printed in TPU have the rubber-like material’s elasticity, shock absorption, impact resistance, vibration dampening, and potential for elongation. TPU is also a very durable material, with high resistance to abrasions, chemicals, oil, and low temperatures, as well as a moderate resistance to water.

TPU filament is available in varying levels of hardness. Varying levels of flexibility can also be achieved through alternating the level of infill. A lower infill density will yield a more flexible part, whereas a higher infill can make the part more rigid. Furthermore, TPU filament is available in many different colors.

Is TPU 3D Printing Difficult?

TPU can be a tricky material to 3D print. Compared to stiffer materials, soft and bendable filaments are generally more difficult to print.

While TPU filament can be more challenging to print than plastics, following this set of recommendations can improve the probability of a successful print for most TPU 3D printers:

• Avoid printing too quickly or with incorrect nozzle

• temperatures or retract settings

• A print speed of 5-30 mm/s is often recommended for TPU

• Use a slow, consistent feed rate

• Use a negative tolerance between the parts

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• Avoid using rafts

To address the historical challenge of 3D printing TPU, Smooth TPU-95A on the Digital Forge offers a more reliable, simple way to 3D print this material with consistent results. Users can simply hit ‘print’ without needing an engineer to configure print speeds, nozzle temperatures, and retract settings. 
 

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What 3D printers work best for TPU?

While there are a number of available 3D printers that are capable of printing this material, not printers compatible with TPU are equal. When working with a notoriously finicky material to print, using a high-quality, industrial-grade printer can improve the rate of successful prints while simplifying the process.

Markforged Smooth TPU 95A is compatible with the Onyx Pro (Gen 2), Mark Two (Gen 2), X3 (Gen 2), X5 (Gen 2), and X7 (Gen 2), and Industrial Gen 1 printers with the A extruder installed. With Markforged Smooth TPU 95A, users can simply hit ‘print’ for flexible TPU parts on demand — no need for an engineer to tweak print speeds, nozzle temps, or retract settings.
 

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The high strength, flexibility and versatility of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) make it suitable for many industrial applications and uses.

Due to its durable, rubbery texture, it is particularly popular in the footwear and apparel industry for shoe soles, waterproofing, and other components. It is also common in the sports industry for items such as ski boots, inflatable rafts, and protective gear.

It has many industrial applications for components such as bushings, seals, gaskets, bumpers, hoses, and industrial belts. It is also commonly used in medical equipment, such as tubing, catheters, and other devices.

You’ll also see thermoplastic polyurethane used in common items such as cases and covers for electronic devices, protective cable wrap, air mattresses, inflatable toys, and airbags.

Choosing the right type of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for your needs can be challenging, especially if you haven’t used TPU before.

Expafol offers a collection of high-quality, durable, and affordable options for any industry, making the purchasing process easy. Choose from TPU 100, 180 or 300, perfect for multiple uses and large quantities.

Expafol has been in the industry for 30 years and is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), along with many other PVC, plastic, and textile products for the industry. Contact the Expafol team and get started today.

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