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TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a thermoplastic elastomer that combines rubber-like elasticity with plastic processability, and is the most mainstream flexible filament in 3D printing. The material features a wide Shore hardness range of 60A-80D, capable of achieving everything from ultra-soft silicone-like textures to semi-rigid nylon-like materials, balancing elasticity, flex resistance, and impact resistance — making it the preferred material for flexible, shock-absorbing, and wear-resistant 3D printed parts.
Currently, the eSUN flexible material matrix includes TPU64D, TPU-95A, TPU-90A, TPU-85A, TPU-80A , TPU-70A , TPU-60A , TPE-95A , TPE-83A, and TPU-LW (hardness adjustable via printing foaming ratio, 77A-93A).
Combines the high elasticity of rubber with the processability of plastic, enabling the printing of flexible, bendable, and stretchable structures.
Shore hardness range of 60A-80D, covering everything from ultra-soft to semi-rigid textures.
Impact-resistant, vibration-damping, wear-resistant, and resistant to grease erosion and common chemical solvents.
Maintains elasticity in low-temperature environments without becoming brittle or cracking.
Combines the elasticity of rubber with the processability of plastic, enabling the printing of flexible, bendable, and stretchable structures.
Shore hardness options ranging from ultra-soft (60A) to semi-rigid (80D), meeting diverse application requirements.
Low thermal shrinkage and minimal warping, no heated bed or enclosed chamber required.
Impact-resistant, vibration-damping, wear-resistant, and resistant to grease erosion and common chemical solvents.
Supports multiple color options and enables complex flexible structures.
Maintains elasticity in low-temperature environments without becoming brittle or cracking.
eSUN (Esun) continues to invest in the TPU flexible material field, building a full-hardness flexible material matrix covering ultra-soft to semi-rigid grades, driving the application of flexible 3D printing materials across more industries.
Can be repeatedly bent and stretched without brittle fracture, with shock-absorbing, impact-resistant, and energy-absorbing properties.
Shore hardness options from ultra-soft to semi-rigid, meeting diverse application needs.
Wear-resistant, oil-resistant, and resistant to common chemical solvents.
Low warping and low shrinkage, high printing success rate.
Maintains elasticity at low temperatures without cold embrittlement.
Multiple colors and hardness levels available, with some models featuring biocompatibility test reports.
Some models offer electrical insulation properties.
| Characteristic | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Higher printing difficulty than rigid materials | Requires low printing speed | Lower printing efficiency compared to rigid filaments like PLA |
| Prone to processing defects | More stringing than PLA and ABS, nozzle prone to clogging | Requires fine-tuning of retraction and speed parameters |
| Difficult post-processing | Wear and chemical resistance make sanding and bonding difficult | Limited post-processing options |
| Limited printing precision | Flexible filament is prone to deformation during feeding | Dimensional accuracy lower than rigid materials |
| Higher cost | Generally more expensive than general-purpose filaments like PLA | Higher cost for batch usage |
Mainstream flexible TPU filament with Shore hardness 95A, balancing elasticity and printing stability, suitable for various flexible structure printing applications.
Semi-rigid TPU filament with Shore hardness 64D, offering a nylon-like texture that balances rigid support with certain toughness, suitable for load-bearing flexible parts.
Foamed TPU filament with adjustable hardness via printing foaming ratio (77A-93A), enabling lightweight flexible structure fabrication.
Ultra-soft TPU filament with Shore hardness 60A, featuring a silicone-like texture, suitable for applications requiring extremely high softness.
| Industry | Typical Applications | Material Value |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Electronics | Phone/earphone/tablet cases, soft rubber buttons, device shock pads, anti-slip grip covers. | Elastic drop protection, anti-slip shock absorption, meeting consumer electronics protection and comfortable grip needs. |
| Industrial Manufacturing | Sealing gaskets, shock-absorbing buffers, anti-slip jigs and fixtures, equipment shock pads. | Wear-resistant, oil-resistant, shock-absorbing, meeting industrial environment durability requirements. |
| Automotive | Interior anti-slip parts, small air ducts, shock-absorbing rubber pads, vehicle anti-slip mounts. | Oil and temperature resistant, shock-absorbing and anti-slip, suitable for automotive component applications. |
| Medical & Healthcare | Orthotics, braces, rehabilitation accessories, medical catheter prototypes, custom insoles. | Biocompatible models available, flexible and conforming, meeting medical assistance and customization needs. |
| Sports & Outdoors | Sports protective gear accessories, hiking equipment anti-slip parts, sports insoles/heels. | Shock-absorbing, anti-slip and wear-resistant, enhancing comfort and safety of sports equipment. |
| Creative & Daily Products | Flexible figure joints, soft rubber toys, creative decorations, anti-slip coasters. | Soft touch and multiple colors available, meeting creative product flexible structure needs. |
| Aerospace & Electronics | Equipment shock-absorbing parts, wire protection sleeves, insulating soft rubber components. | Shock-absorbing and insulating, wear-resistant, meeting precision equipment protection needs. |
A US customer used TPU-95A to customize vintage car parts, leveraging the elasticity and durability of TPU to achieve rapid production of personalized automotive components.
Benchmark material: PEBA
| Comparison Dimension | TPU Series | PEBA Series |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility & Hardness Coverage | Broadest Range (60A ~ 80D)Covers ultra-soft gels to rigid mechanical parts. The go-to material for general-purpose flexibility. | Narrower RangeFocuses on specific mid-range hardness. Less versatile for extreme softness or rigidity, but excels in specific "snap-back" needs. |
| Elastic Recovery (Rebound) | Good Provides cushioning and shock absorption, but may have permanent deformation after heavy or repeated stress. | Superior (70%+)High rebound properties. Ideal for applications requiring energy return (e.g., midsoles, balls, grips) with minimal permanent deformation. |
| Low Temperature Performance | Good down to -20°C. May become stiff in freezing conditions. | Excellent (-40°C)Maintains elasticity and flexibility even in extreme cold. No embrittlement risk. |
| Cost & Processing | Cost-EffectiveLower material cost. Easier printing parameters, less warping, better suited for large-scale functional prints. | Higher Cost Premium pricing. More difficult parameter tuning required due to sensitivity to temperature and speed. |
| Parameter / Operation | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extruder Type | Direct Drive | Direct-drive extruder recommended for flexible materials for more stable feeding |
| Drying | 60°C >8H | Recommended to dry before resuming printing after long storage |
| Print Speed | Low speed | Flexible materials require low print speed to prevent feeding deformation |
| Retraction Settings | Appropriately increase retraction distance | Reduce stringing |
The above parameters are for reference only. Specific settings should be adjusted step by step according to your printer model, nozzle, and model geometry. This guide does not replace the official parameter sheet for specific product specifications.