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TPE and TPU flexible filaments are both thermoplastic elastomers that allow a print to stretch or bend easily. Before we get into more details about these two types of filament, let\u2019s talk about flexible filaments in general, and why they\u2019re used.<\/p>\n
There are several reasons why you\u2019d want a print to have flexible or rubbery properties, such as vibration dampening and shock absorption, high impact strength, and good resistance to tearing, abrasion, chemicals, and high or low temperatures.<\/p>\n
With all those pluses, it should be noted that flexible filaments are not always so easy to print with. In general, the softer and more bendable the material, the trickier it can be to print.<\/p>\n
If you have something in mind that you want to print, but would like to remove any potential hassle, considering using\u00a0FacFox\u2018s 3D Printing Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s delve into more about TPE and TPU filaments and clear up the differences between them. We\u2019ll also go over the best practices for printing with them and leave with you with a few prints to try yourself!<\/p>\n TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomer. It\u2019s a blend of hard plastic and soft rubber, so it has both thermoplastic and elastic properties. TPE covers a wide range of flexible materials, including thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic co-polyester (TCP), thermoplastic polyamide (TPA).<\/p>\n TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane. It\u2019s the most common type of TPE and is on the more rigid side of flexible filaments.<\/p>\n Since the terms of TPE and TPU\u00a0are often\u00a0interchanged loosely, it\u2019s worthwhile to set the record straight.<\/p>\n Now that we know the basics of these two filaments, let\u2019s get into more details about their differences.<\/p>\n How TPE and TPU are defined is by their\u00a0hardness<\/a>, which measures a material\u2019s resistance to surface deformation. As we know, TPU is harder than TPE, and TPU\u2019s\u00a0Shore hardness\u00a0is between 60A and 55D, with a high elastic range (typically from 600-700%).<\/p>\n Logically, TPE has a wider range of hardness than TPU. The variation in chemical formulation of TPE means some types of TPE are partially hard and suitable for something like a car tire, while other types are very rubbery, like a rubber band.<\/p>\n Compared to TPE\u00a0filament, TPU filament\u00a0exhibits greater\u00a0rigidity<\/a>, which isn\u2019t to be confused with hardness. Rigidity measures the ability of a material to bend, indicating the tendency of a material to return to its original form after being subjected to a force.<\/p>\n Other differences include that a TPU print will be heavier, because TPU is denser than other TPEs. TPU also has a smooth finish, while TPEs usually have a more rubbery texture. TPU has better resistance to abrasion than most TPEs, and TPU shrinks less than other TPEs.<\/p>\n Now that we know all about their differences, let\u2019s take a look at how best to print with them.<\/p>\n TPE filament can be hard to print with due to its elasticity. It\u2019s recommended to print with the following settings:<\/p>\n If printing goes too fast, it could easily result in\u00a0a jam. TPE works better with a\u00a0direct drive extruder<\/a>, so be especially careful if you have a\u00a0Bowden extruder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some popular brands of TPE filament include\u00a0eSun TPE<\/a>\u00a0(around $42\/kg),\u00a0MatterHackers Pro Series TPE<\/a>\u00a0(around $55\/0.5kg), and\u00a03DXFlex TPE<\/a>\u00a0(around $68\/0.5kg).<\/p>\n The good news is that TPU filament is easier to print than TPE, because it\u2019s relatively stiffer, but compared to rigid filaments like\u00a0PLA,\u00a0TPU filament is\u00a0still tricky. It\u2019s recommended to print with the following settings:<\/p>\n It\u2019s very important to slow down the extrusion speed and\u00a0retraction<\/a>\u00a0movement, in order to\u00a0optimize the printing process.<\/p>\n Some popular brands of TPU filament include\u00a0Kodak Flex TPU<\/a>\u00a0(around $50\/0.75kg),\u00a0Ultimaker TPU<\/span>\u00a0(around $70\/0.75kg),\u00a0MatterHackers Build Series TPU<\/a>\u00a0(around $45\/kg),\u00a0Polymaker PolyFlex<\/span>\u00a0(around $55\/0.75kg),\u00a0 and the well-known\u00a0NinjaTek<\/span> (around$55\/0.5kg).<\/p>\n Now we know that TPU is a type of TPE. Other TPEs are usually softer than TPU, which means TPU is easier to print. In general, if you want heavier, tougher, and more durable objects, choose TPU filament, but for lighter, softer, and more flexible prints, choose TPE filament.<\/p>\n Some cool models to try out with these two filaments are a\u00a0phone case<\/a>,\u00a0bike handle<\/a>, and\u00a0pen grip<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe Two TPs<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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TPE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
TPU<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Clear Up the Confusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Same but Different<\/h3>\n
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Printing Settings & Tips<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Printing With TPE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Printing With TPU<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Give It a Try<\/h3>\n
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