Most flexible filaments have a Shore A rating of between 85A and 95A, which is soft enough to be flexible but not too soft that it deforms easily. If a filament is too hard, it will snap when bent if it’s too soft, it will sag and deform when printed. Shore hardness is an important specification for flexible filaments because it determines how elastic a filament is. The higher the Shore A number, the harder the rubber or rubbery material. A rubber band is rated at 20A, a pencil eraser at 40A, a car tire is around 70A, and a shopping cart wheel is about 95A. There are three separate shore hardness scales, but the most important to flexible filaments and 3D printing is the ‘Shore A’ scale. Shore hardness measures the hardness of rubber and rubbery things. It also has a low heat tolerance, so it can’t be used in many outdoor or high-heat environments. However, it absorbs moisture easily, which can cause issues like bubbling and uneven extrusion just like with PLA. Another downside to TPU is that it can be difficult to work with, due to its high elasticity and tendency to stick to most surfaces.Īs we mentioned above, TPU material is resistant to many outside substances. They also have a tendency to clog and jam 3D printers when the print settings aren’t exact.Īdditionally, TPU is not as strong as other materials like ABS or PLA filament, so it is not ideal for parts that need to be strong and durable. Because they are so elastic, some 3D printers have difficulty pushing them through the extruder (especially a Bowden extruder). TPU and other flexible filaments can be difficult to print with. It is also resistant to substances like oil, grease, and several different chemicals. TPU filament has a high degree of abrasion resistance, making it durable against damage. Image: Recreus via Thingiverse You can 3D print your own footwear with TPU filament! It also has a high shear strength, making it ideal for applications that need strength and minimal permanent deformation under mechanical stress. As a flexible filament, it works well for applications that need the elastic properties of a rubber or silicone-like substance. TPU has several advantages, especially for 3D printing applications. Namely, TPU filaments are very elastic and tend to stretch and warp during printing, which can lead to poor print quality and incomplete prints.īefore explaining how to deal with this, let’s first look at some of the pros and cons of using TPU for 3D printing in the sections below. However, even with their good qualities, TPU filaments also have plenty of bad attributes that make 3D printing with the material frustrating and difficult. TPU has excellent qualities that make it a strong, durable, and versatile material. TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane and it is a flexible, elastic material that is widely used for fabricating parts, tools, and products in the medical, athletic, hobbyist, fashion, and automotive industries.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |