Professional TPU 3D Printing Service

Produce flexible, durable and wear-resistant parts with our SLS and MJF technologies. From 1 - 10k parts.

Get your TPU instant quote
TPU Material properties​
  • ISO 9001
  • Fast Turnaround
  • Secure File Upload

What is TPU?

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a flexible polymer material used in additive manufacturing. This engineering-grade thermoplastic combines the strength of plastic with the elasticity of rubber, resulting in parts that are both durable and flexible. TPU is ideal for producing components that require shock absorption, high elasticity, and resistance to wear or fatigue.

In 3D printing, TPU is commonly processed through SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) or MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) technologies. These methods build parts layer by layer by fusing fine TPU powder particles, creating precise, high-quality parts with excellent surface finish and performance.

Our TPU materials

SLS Ultrasint® TPU 88A

Flexible material with exeptional durability and wear resistance. For demanding industrial applications requiring high elasticity.
Learn more

MJF Ultrasint® TPU01

Advanced TPU formulation offering superior mechanical properties and chemical resistance. Ideal for fonctional prototypes and end-use parts.
Learn more

Ready to get your quote?

Upload your 3D file
SLS 3D printing technology

TPU Technical specifications

Whether for functional prototypes or large-scale production, 3D printing with TPU delivers durable, elastic components that combine strength, flexibility, and precision for industrial applications.

Flexible and Elastic

TPU offers exceptional elasticity, with a Shore hardness of 88 – 90 A , ideal for parts requiring bend, stretch, and recovery.

Durable Performance

Combining flexibility with strength, TPU provides high wear, impact, and fatigue resistance, ensuring long-lasting performance even under stress or repeated use.

Thermal Stability

With a heat deflection temperature of up to 120-150°C, TPU maintains mechanical integrity across a broad temperature range, suitable for demanding environments.

Abrasion Resistance

TPU is resistant to oils, greases, and abrasion, making it perfect for industrial components, seals, and housings exposed to harsh conditions.

Precision Manufacturing

3D printed TPU parts achieve fine detail and smooth surface quality, with a minimum wall thickness of 0.8 mm for both SLS and MJF processes.

Design Versatility

From lattice structures to shock-absorbing geometries, TPU enables lightweight, flexible designs across industries, including automotive, footwear, and robotics.

Why choose TPU for 3D Printing

Advantages of TPU 3D Printing

Limitations of TPU 3D Printing

  • High flexibility and elasticity ideal for functional parts requiring movement or shock absorption
  • Excellent durability and abrasion resistance
  • Enables complex geometries, lattice structures, and variable-thickness designs
  • Compatible with both SLS and MJF technologies for consistent quality
  • Ideal for prototypes, on-demand production, and mass customization
  • Good elongation at break (270–280%)
  • Not suitable for extremely high-temperature applications
  • Surface finish can be slightly rough without post-processing
  • Slightly higher material cost compared to standard polymers
  • Less accurate than rigid material (especially for long parts)

Common Application for 3D Printed TPU

While using SLS you can access numerous finishing option to give your an unique look and a high quality surface to your 3D printed parts

Anatomic TPU

Medical Industry

Drone TPU

Drone Industry

Electronic TPU

Electronics Industry

Everything you need to know about TPU 3D printing

Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile, high-performance polymer that combines strength, elasticity, and durability, making it an ideal material for 3D printing. TPU enables designers, engineers, and manufacturers to produce parts that are simultaneously robust and flexible, meeting demanding industry standards. TPU 3D printing unlocks a wide range of possibilities from rapid prototyping of functional, shock-absorbing components to mid- and large-scale production, as well as mass customization. Its flexibility allows for complex geometries, variable-thickness designs, and lightweight lattice structures, providing both functional performance and innovative aesthetics. This material is particularly valuable across industries such as automotive, industrial equipment, sports gear, footwear, and fashion, where durable, adaptable, and customizable components are essential. Professional 3D printing services, including solutions like Ultrasint® TPU01 and TPU 88A, deliver high-quality, precise, and resilient TPU parts without the need for costly in-house equipment. By leveraging TPU 3D printing, businesses can accelerate prototyping, optimize production workflows, and deliver tailored solutions, combining innovation, efficiency, and scalability in one streamlined process.

Comparison: TPU vs. other materials

When choosing a material for 3D printing, understanding how TPU compares to other common polymers is essential. Each material offers specific mechanical and functional properties that make it better suited for certain applications. TPU stands out for its flexibility and resilience, while materials like PA12 or PA11 provide higher rigidity or thermal stability, depending on project needs.

Property TPU (Ultrasint® TPU01 / TPU 88A) PA12 Ultrasint® PA11 Ultrasint® PA11 CF
Flexibility Very high, rubber-like Medium, semi-rigid Moderate, tough Very low, rigid
Strength Moderate, elastic strength High mechanical strength High impact strength Very high, reinforced
Durability Excellent fatigue resistance Good long-term durability Excellent wear resistance Superior stiffness & wear
Chemical Resistance Resistant to oils, grease Good chemical stability Excellent chemical resistance High chemical resistance
Applications Flexible lattices, footwear, seals Functional prototypes, housings Outdoor parts, medical use Industrial, structural parts

TPU remains the material of choice when elasticity, shock absorption, and design freedom are top priorities. In contrast, PA12 and PA11 are preferred for applications requiring rigidity, dimensional stability, or higher structural performance. For projects demanding extreme stiffness and reinforcement, PA11 CF offers the best results. Ultimately, the right material depends on the balance between flexibility, strength, and environmental resistance needed for your application.

TPU Material properties

Property TPU SLS TPU MJF
Maximum Part Size 196 × 176 × 315 mm 274 × 370 × 380 mm
Hardness (Shore A) 88–90 88–90
Tensile Strength 8 MPa 9 MPa
Tensile Modulus 75 MPa 85 MPa
Elongation at Break 270 % 280 %
Charpy Impact (notched) No break No break

Trusted by innovators for TPU parts

“Sculpteo has become a very important partner in our development of 3D printing. The various technologies offered by Sculpteo help us choose the right processes for various applications. The offer of chemical treatments for finishes is a plus. The platform is very responsive and allows us to order quickly and we immediately know the price and delivery dates.”
Daniel Robert Orthopédie
Daniel RobertCEO and Artisan Orthopedist
"We chose to work with Sculpteo specifically for their expertise with this material and their ability to deliver a highly refined, professional finish, something we couldn’t easily achieve in our own workshops. Their advanced 3D printing technologies and production processes go far beyond what’s possible with standard desktop 3D printers."
Rohan Mirza Logo
Rohan MIRZADesigner, creative director
Previous
Next

Finishes available for TPU 3D Printing

While using HP Multi Jet Fusion you can access some nice finishing option to give your an unique look and a high quality surface to your 3D printed parts

smoothing plaque

Chemical Smoothing

500 +
Parts printed per day
1000 +
Happy customers each year
0 +
Technologies and finishes
0 +
Industrial 3D Printers

People Also Ask

What is the minimum order quantity for TPU parts?

There is no strict minimum. TPU 3D printing allows on-demand production, whether you need a single prototype, a small batch, or larger series, making it ideal for both testing and production.

    How do I prepare my 3D file for TPU printing?

    Ensure your model is printable, with walls at least 0.8 mm thick, and export in STL or OBJ format. TPU’s flexibility reduces the need for support structures, but it’s important to consider overhangs and functional geometries.

    Can TPU parts be used for functional end-use applications?

    Yes. Professionally printed TPU parts are strong, flexible, and resistant to wear and fatigue. They are suitable for functional prototypes, industrial components, wearable devices, automotive parts, footwear, and other end-use applications requiring elasticity.

    What post-processing options are available for TPU?

    TPU parts can be bead-blasted, dyed, polished, or smoothed, enhancing surface finish or aesthetics without affecting flexibility or performance.

    What are the lead times for TPU 3D printing?

    Lead times depend on complexity and volume. Small runs or prototypes can often be produced and shipped within a few days, while larger production runs may take longer but are still faster and more flexible than traditional manufacturing.

    Find more resources about TPU 3D printing

    TPU material

    What is TPU?

    TPU is an advanced flexible material. With its impressive properties, this 3D printing material could offer you various opportunities!

    Multi Jet Fusion

    3D printing technology: MJF vs SLS

    Are you looking for a plastic 3D printing technology? If you are considering MJF and SLS, let’s look more closely at their similarities and differences.

    Sales Inquiries: Contact us!

    Contact our sales team for your commercial inquiries