Is TPU Flexible? All About TPU


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TPU filament is a very unique material for 3D printing. Its most famous feature is flexibility. This filament is often the first one that users will reach for when they need to make a flexible print.

What is TPU filament?

TPU filament is a flexible material available in black and white. the most notable feature of this filament is its flexibility. In addition to its flexibility, TPU is also very durable and hard to break. It absorbs impacts well, making it the perfect filament to use when a strong material is needed.

Properties:

  • 450% elongation
  • Tensile strength 150 MPa
  • Shore hardness 98A
  • Melting point 225 ° C
  • Glass transition temperature 60 ° C
How flexible is TPU?

Flexible materials have a property called Shore hardness which determines the flexibility or hardness of the material. TPU BCN3D has a Shore-A hardness of 98, which makes it the most flexible filament in the BCN3D collection. So how flexible is TPU? Overall, its flexibility is comparable to that of an analog video game controller stick. However, the final flexibility will depend on the characteristics of the printed object. For example, if you are printing a thin model, you can bend it. But if you had printed a solid cube it would not be as flexible as a stress ball. How an object is printed will affect its overall flexibility.

Jak TPU: Insole

TPU: Insole

Typical TPU applications

If you want to print an object that requires some flexibility, that needs to bend without breaking, or that needs to withstand little wear, you should consider TPU. TPU is rubber-like, so it is often used similarly. This means you can create protective cases, anti-skid surfaces, wheels, and other items that you typically design in rubber. For example, Camper, a popular shoe brand, uses this filament in the soles of its shoe prototypes because of the flexibility of the material.

This filament is also a good option for creating unique production line tools such as gaskets, gaskets, hinges, handles, springs and shock absorbers. If you need to build a tool that is meant to interact with other parts without damaging them, you can also consider using TPU. For example, you can create robotic arms that act like claws. This part will be flexible enough to grip objects without damaging or scratching them. This filament can also be used as an assembly line support. Its softness allows it to provide reinforcement without weakening or breaking the original structure.

TPU: car tire prototype

TPU: car tire prototype

Benefits of TPU

As already mentioned, the main advantage of TPU is its flexibility and durability. The alternating hard and soft blocks make it a very resilient material. Its Shore hardness means it is resistant to abrasion, daily wear and heavy impacts. Its durability also includes resistance to a variety of elements. This means that it is resistant to water, heat, oil and some chemicals.

A downside to this material that should not be ignored is that printing can be difficult if you don't have the proper setup. If you are using a printer that does not have direct embossing, printing this type of flexible material will be difficult. However, BCN3D printers have direct embossing which means if you are printing TPU with one of our printers it won't be that much of a problem. All in all, this filament has many uses and many advantages. If you want to print something that is designed to be flexible, durable or resilient, TPU is your best bet.

Source: www.bcn3d.com