TPU is the go-to material when a 3D print needs to bend, stretch, or absorb impact instead of snapping. Phone cases, gaskets, seals, cable clips, foot pads, and flexible prototypes all work better in TPU than in rigid PLA or PETG. But not all TPU is the same, and choosing the wrong Shore hardness or filament can cause clogging, stringing, or parts that feel too soft.

What TPU Hardness Means for Your Print

TPU is measured on the Shore hardness scale. Shore 95A to 98A TPU is firm but flexible, close to a tire or soft grip, and prints more easily. Shore 85A to 90A is softer and more rubber-like, great for seals and shock absorption, but slower to print and more prone to stringing. For most prototyping and functional parts, a mid-range 95A TPU is the most forgiving starting point.

Picking the Right TPU

• Flexible grips and protectors: Shore 95A TPU, easy to print and durable.
• Seals, gaskets, and soft feet: Shore 90A or softer for compression and rebound.
• Parts exposed to oil or chemicals: TPU resists oils better than most flexible materials.
• High-speed printing: stiffer 98A TPU is more forgiving on fast Bowden setups.

Printing Tips for TPU

TPU prints best at slower print speeds, usually 20 to 40 mm/s, with a direct-drive extruder handling soft filament more reliably than a long Bowden tube. Dry the filament before printing if it has absorbed moisture, since wet TPU oozes and bubbles. Keep the nozzle clean and retraction settings low to avoid stringing.

Ancepts 3D stocks flexible TPU filament alongside PLA, PETG, ABS, and carbon fiber materials. Browse the full filament range, or ask us about wholesale and OEM filament programs for businesses.