Which Filament

Materials › TPU

TPU Thermoplastic polyurethane

Flexible, rubbery filament for parts that bend, squash, and absorb impacts.

About TPU

Overview

  • The answer whenever the part has to bend: cases, gaskets, bumpers, grips, tires.
  • The number on the spool is Shore hardness. Lower is softer and harder to print.
  • A spool marked only “TPU” is usually 95A. Start there.

Pros

  • Truly flexible, and can stretch, bend, and bounce back
  • Very durable: resists impacts, abrasion, and repeated flexing
  • Good vibration damping and grip
  • Needs no enclosure

Cons

  • Prints slowly (often 20-40 mm/s), and fast printing causes jams
  • Stringing is common, and bridging and overhangs are weak
  • Easiest on a direct-drive extruder; Bowden setups can jam
  • Absorbs moisture, so keep it dry

Typical settings

Nozzle
210-240 °C
Bed
30-60 °C
Enclosure
Not needed
Drying
50-60 °C for 6-8 h

TPU variants

Results

  • TPU 95A

    Flexible but firm. The easiest TPU to print and the usual choice for grips, cases, and bumpers.

    • Flexible / rubbery
    • Functional parts

    Nozzle 210-235 °CBed 30-60 °C

    Strength
    3 out of 5
    Heat
    2 out of 5
    Ease
    2 out of 5

  • TPU 85A

    Home, with precautions

    A softer, more rubbery TPU. Squishy and stretchy, but much harder to print than 95A.

    • Flexible / rubbery

    Nozzle 210-235 °CBed 30-60 °C

    Strength
    2 out of 5
    Heat
    2 out of 5
    Ease
    1 out of 5

Sources

Figures vary by brand and test method; check your filament's datasheet.