Material
SLS/MJF Flexible TPU
Flexible TPU is a rubber-like, tear-resistant material with very good shock absorption and abrasion resistance that's suited to flexible functional prototypes and wear-prone parts.
Manufacturing processes
About
Flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a firm, rubber-like material (Shore hardness 86–90A) that bends and can stretch to several times its length.
It is tear-resistant, resists abrasion, and absorbs shock well, but isn't strong like rigid plastics. Heat resistance is limited: parts soften at around 95 °C and are best kept below roughly 80 °C, and sustained compression can leave a permanent set. Accuracy is looser than rigid nylon, and parts are water-resistant but not waterproof.
Flexible TPU is a good option for grips, handles, footwear cushioning, and protective components.
Technical Details
- Accuracy
- ±1.8% (lower limit of ±1.5 mm)
- Density
- 1.12 g/cm³
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.8 mm
Technical Properties
- Tensile strength
- 7 - 20 MPa
- Tensile modulus
- 60 - 85 MPa
- Tensile elongation
- 220 - 500%
- Flexural strength
- 6.2 MPa
- Flexural modulus
- 70 - 86 MPa
- Default layer height
- 0.15 mm
- Default infill
- 100%
- Embossing
- min. 1 mm
- Engraving
- min. 1 mm
- Interlocking parts
- Yes
- Warping risk
- Moderate
- Maximum printing dimensions
- 500 × 500 × 400 mm