PU Foam vs TPU
Polymer · grade comparison
PU Foam and TPU are both polymer grades. TPU is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam, about 308 times as much. TPU is the more ductile: elongation 550% versus 150% for PU Foam. PU Foam is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 1.18 g/cm³ for TPU) and TPU is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 2×10⁻⁴ GPa). On the shop floor, PU Foam machines more easily (excellent vs poor), TPU welds better (excellent vs poor), and PU Foam sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than TPU (standard, $$).
PU FoamChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
TPUChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
PU Foam vs TPU: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PU Foam | TPU |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Open Cell | Shore A 85 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Conductive Coating | — | Yes |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Primer Coating | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | — | Yes |
| Vacuum Metallization | — | Yes |
| Waterproof Coating | — | Yes |
Both are offered for Injection molding. They share 5 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, UV Coating.
PU Foam vs TPU — frequently asked
Is TPU stronger than PU Foam?
Yes. TPU has a typical tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) against 0.13 MPa (0.0189 ksi) for PU Foam — about 308 times as much.
Which is cheaper, PU Foam or TPU?
PU Foam is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while TPU is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PU Foam or TPU?
PU Foam. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against poor (25/100) for TPU; for welding the order is TPU first (excellent, 85/100) then PU Foam (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PU Foam and TPU side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.