Flex TPU 40D Red

Thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, is a very common form of elastic polymer, or elastomer, capable of being used on any properly equipped FDM 3D printer. Of the many kinds of flexible 3D printer filaments, TPU is slightly more rigid, making it easier to extrude and use. It is a medium-strength material with very high flexibility and durability, able to withstand much higher compressive and tensile forces than its more common counterparts PLA and ABS.

When printing, TPU exhibits minimal warping and shrinkage and, like PLA, doesn’t require a heated bed, although it is recommended. The ideal print temperature is between 210 and 230 °C, but this may vary from manufacturer to another. TPU doesn’t produce any notable levels of fumes while printing, but it’s not considered to be food safe. And though it’s a non-soluble material, it is hygroscopic, meaning that it will slowly absorb moisture from its surroundings, degrading over time.