Elastomer Plastic · Elastomer
TPU
TPU is an elastomer polymer — tough flexible elastic. Typical values: 10 MPa yield, 1.21 g/cm³, rated to 80 °C. Available for CNC machining, Sheet metal, Injection molding, 3D printing at FabDigit.
Properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Shore A 85 condition. Metric first, imperial in gray. The bars show where TPU sits against the other 74 polymer grades in the catalog.
Datasheet
| Yield strength | 10 MPa1 ksi |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 15 MPa2 ksi |
| Hardness | 90 ShA |
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³0.044 lb/in³ |
| Specific strength (yield ÷ density) | 8 |
| Min service temp | -40 °C-40 °F |
| Max service temp | 80 °C176 °F |
| Electrical conductivity | < 0.001 % IACSinsulator |
| Machinability | Poor15 / 100 |
| Weldability | Not recommended5 / 100 |
| Formability | Not recommended1 / 100 |
| ISO 513 machining group | N |
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Against other polymer grades
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TPU is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to TPU. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor15 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Not Recommend1 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Not Recommend5 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
3D printing
| Technologies | SLS, FDM, MJF |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
Conditions and tempers
How TPU is supplied and what each state is for. The default is what FabDigit quotes unless your drawing says otherwise.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shore A 85Default Hardness | Firmer roller/pad duty with less deflection than A80 | — | — | — | — |
Shore A 95 Hardness | Near-rigid — high-load wheels, bushings | — | — | — | — |
Shore D 60 Hardness | Semi-rigid, plastic-like with slight give — structural rubber parts | — | — | — | — |
Heat treatment and post-processing
Operations FabDigit's suppliers routinely run on TPU, ranked by how often they make sense for this grade.
Post-processing
| Manual Deburr | Deburrstandard |
|---|---|
| Edge Break (0.5mm) | Deburr |
| Heat-Stake Insert | Assembly |
| Ultrasonic Insert | Assembly |
| Laser Engrave | Marking |
| Press-fit Insert | Assembly |
| Silk Screen | Marking |
| CMM Inspection | Inspection |
| FAI Report | Inspection |
| Individual Bag | Packaging |
Surface finishes for TPU
Coatings and treatments compatible with polymer on the processes TPU runs on. Pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Coating
- Clear Coating
- Conductive Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Primer Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Tinted Coating
- UV Coating
- Waterproof Coating
Injection Molding Coating
- EMI Shielding Coating
- Soft Touch Coating
- Spray Painting
- UV Coating
Organic Coating
- Painting
Marking / Decoration
- Chemical Etching
- Dot Peen Marking
- Electro-chemical Etching
- Embossing / Debossing
- Hot Stamping
- In-Mold Labeling (IML)
- Ink Stamping
- Laser Marking
- Mechanical Engraving
- Pad Printing
- Vibro Engraving / Scribing
Metallization / Functional
- Chrome Plating (Plastic)
- Vacuum Metallization
Coloring
- Dyeing (Nylon)
- Painting
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPU in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- ElastollanPellethaneTexinFlexible Filament
- Also called
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane
- Other
- Polyurethane (Solid)TPU 88A
Stock forms
Raw-material forms FabDigit sources TPU in.
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.