TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a flexible and elastic material commonly used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. It is known for its rubber-like properties and is ideal for producing soft, flexible, and durable parts.

Properties

1. Flexibility and Elasticity: TPU is highly flexible and elastic, allowing it to bend, stretch, and compress without breaking. This makes it ideal for producing parts that require rubber-like properties, such as gaskets, seals, and wearable devices.
2. Shore Hardness Range: TPU comes in different shore hardness ratings, ranging from soft (around 60A) to harder (up to 90A), allowing for a wide range of applications with varying levels of flexibility and rigidity.
3. Excellent Layer Adhesion: TPU has good interlayer adhesion during FDM printing, resulting in parts with good mechanical properties and stability, even in complex geometries.
4. High Impact Resistance: TPU has excellent impact resistance, making it suitable for parts that may experience mechanical stress or impact, such as phone cases, shoe soles, and bumpers.
5. Chemical Resistance: TPU is resistant to many chemicals, including oils, greases, and solvents, making it suitable for parts that come into contact with chemicals or other harsh environments.
6. UV Resistance: TPU is known for its good UV resistance, which makes it suitable for outdoor applications that are exposed to sunlight.
7. Wide Temperature Range: TPU retains its properties over a wide temperature range, allowing it to withstand both low-temperature and high-temperature environments.
8. Ease of Post-processing: TPU can be easily post-processed, such as trimming, sanding, or smoothing, to achieve desired surface finish and fit.
9. Good Bed Adhesion: TPU can adhere well to heated bed surfaces during printing, reducing the risk of warping or lifting.
10. Versatility: TPU can be used for a wide range of applications, including functional parts, prototypes, consumer goods, medical devices, and more, due to its flexibility, durability, and excellent mechanical properties.