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Thermoplastic polyurethane

TPU for Flexible, Rubber-Like Parts

Flexible and abrasion-resistant — gaskets, bumpers, boots, pads and grips.

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) prints into parts that bend, compress and spring back. It's tough, resists abrasion and handles oils and greases well, which makes it our material for gaskets, bumpers, protective boots, vibration pads, soft fixture jaws and grips.

Hardness is measured on the Shore A scale. Common printable grades sit around 95A, which feels like a firm rubber, and softer grades exist. The softer the grade, the harder it is to print accurately, so we'll talk through what the part has to do before choosing.

TPU isn't a structural or high-heat material, and a printed flexible part isn't a drop-in replacement for every molded rubber seal. For short runs of custom gaskets, bumpers and fixtures that need a soft contact face, it's fast and inexpensive.

TPU in Texas heat

In a closed car in summer

Ask us

Outdoors, year-round

Fair

TPU handles outdoor use reasonably well, but like most flexible plastics it softens as it heats. If a TPU part has to hold a seal in summer sun, tell us so we can plan for it.

Where TPU works

  • Custom gaskets and seals for non-critical sealing
  • Bumpers, stops and vibration isolators
  • Soft jaws and protective pads on fixtures
  • Cable strain reliefs and grommets
  • Protective boots and covers
  • Grips and handles

Where to use something else

  • Pressure-rated or safety-critical seals
  • Parts that must hold precise dimensions
  • Sustained high temperatures
  • Rigid structural parts

Designing parts in TPU

  • Fixtures can combine a rigid nylon or PETG body with TPU contact pads, printed separately and fastened.
  • Wall thickness controls stiffness in TPU as much as the grade does.
  • Very small holes and fine detail are harder in flexible material — allow a little extra.

TPU questions

How flexible is TPU?

Common printable TPU is around 95A Shore hardness — firm but clearly rubbery. Thin walls flex easily; thick sections feel nearly solid. Softer grades exist and print more slowly.

Can a TPU part replace an O-ring or gasket?

For non-critical sealing, dust covers and splash protection, often yes. For pressure-rated, safety-critical or regulated seals, use the specified molded part.

Can you combine rigid and flexible parts?

Yes. A common approach is a rigid nylon or PETG body with TPU pads or bumpers, printed separately and assembled. Tell us what the assembly has to do.

Compare with

  • Nylon & Carbon-Fiber Nylon — Our toughest, stiffest FDM materials — carbon-fiber grades are commonly rated 150 °C or more at low load.
  • PETG — Tougher than PLA, good chemical resistance, heat limit of roughly 65–75 °C.
  • PLA — Stiff, accurate and the cheapest to print — but it softens at roughly 50–60 °C.
  • PLA vs PETG vs ASA vs Nylon

Check your part

Need a part in TPU — or not sure it's the right one?

Send your file and tell us where the part will live. A person quotes every job, usually within one business day, with a material recommendation if a different one would serve you better.

Get a Quote

Heat figures are typical published heat-deflection ranges for common filament grades at low load (0.45 MPa), not measurements of our parts. Real values vary with brand, colour, print orientation, part design and — for nylon — moisture. If a number matters to your application, tell us and we'll talk through margin and testing.