Is TPU Flexible? All About TPU

In: Knowledge On: 10 lipca 2020 Hit: 4837

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.

Co to jest filament TPU?

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, the TPU filament is also very durable and difficult to break. It absorbs impacts well, making it an ideal filament to use if you need a strong material.

Properties of the TPU filament

Elongation 450%
Tensile strength 150 MPa
Shore hardness 98A
Melting point 225 °C
Glass transition temperature 60 °C

How flexible is TPU filament?

Flexible materials have a property called Shore hardness, which determines the elasticity or hardness of the material. The BCN3D TPU filament 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 can be compared to the analog stick of a video game controller. However, the ultimate 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 printed a solid cube, it wouldn't be as flexible as a stress ball. How you print an object will affect its overall flexibility.

Typical applications of TPU filament

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

TPU filament is also a good option for creating unique tools on the production line, such as seals, hinges, handles, springs and shock absorbers. If you need to build a tool that needs to interact with other parts without damaging them, you might 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. TPU filament can also be used as support on the assembly line. Its softness allows it to provide reinforcement without weakening or breaking the original structure.

Benefits of printing with TPU filament

As we have already mentioned, the main advantage of the TPU filament is its flexibility and durability. Alternating hard and soft blocks make it a very flexible material. Its Shore hardness means it is resistant to abrasion, daily wear and high impact. Its durability also includes resistance to various elements. This means it is resistant to water, heat, oil and some chemicals.

A downside to this material that shouldn't be ignored is that it can be difficult to print if you don't have the right setup. If you are using a printer that does not have direct extrusion, printing this type of flexible material will be difficult. However, BCN3D printers have direct extrusion, which means that if you print TPU with using one of the BCN3D printers, it won't be that big of a problem. To sum up, TPU filament has many applications and has many advantages. If you want to print something that needs to be flexible, durable, or resilient, TPU is the way to go.

Source: www.bcn3d.com