TPU As Printed vs TPU Formlabs TPU 90A
Polymer · TPU grade comparison
TPU As Printed and Formlabs TPU 90A Powder are two grades of the same polymer grade, TPU: As Printed (as built (as printed)) versus Formlabs TPU 90A. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. TPU As Printed is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 8.7 MPa (1.26 ksi) for Formlabs TPU 90A Powder, about 3.2 times as much. TPU As Printed is the more ductile: elongation 380% versus 310% for Formlabs TPU 90A Powder. Formlabs TPU 90A Powder is lighter (1.14 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for TPU As Printed).
TPU As PrintedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Formlabs TPU 90A PowderChoose it when weight is the constraint.
TPU As Printed vs Formlabs TPU 90A Powder: 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.
TPU As PrintedFormlabs TPU 90A Powder
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
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)
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Powder Moisture Content
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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.
TPU As Printed vs Formlabs TPU 90A Powder — frequently asked
Is TPU As Printed stronger than Formlabs TPU 90A Powder?
Yes. TPU As Printed has a typical tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) against 8.7 MPa (1.26 ksi) for Formlabs TPU 90A Powder — about 3.2 times as much.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, As Printed or Formlabs TPU 90A?
Shore A 85 is the default TPU condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As Printed nor Formlabs TPU 90A). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
When should I choose TPU As Printed over Formlabs TPU 90A Powder?
Pick TPU As Printed when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick Formlabs TPU 90A Powder when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU As Printed and Formlabs TPU 90A Powder 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.