TPU As Printed vs TPU GF20
Polymer · TPU grade comparison
TPU As Printed and TPU GF20 are two grades of the same polymer grade, TPU: As Printed (as built (as printed)) versus GF20 (20 % glass-fibre reinforced TPU). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. TPU GF20 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for TPU As Printed, about 61% more. In exchange, TPU As Printed is the more ductile: elongation 380% versus 25% for TPU GF20, and TPU GF20 is harder (70 Shore D vs 45 Shore D). TPU As Printed is lighter (1.2 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for TPU GF20) and TPU GF20 is stiffer (2 GPa vs 0.05 GPa). On the shop floor, TPU GF20 machines more easily (fair vs poor).
TPU As PrintedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
TPU GF20Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
TPU As Printed vs TPU GF20: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.48 · Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C) 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 185°C365 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) -40°C-40 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.8% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1.8% · Refractive Index 1.51
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 72°C162 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 22% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 5 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.05 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 78 / 100 · UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 85 / 100 · Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Polishability 40 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 25 g/10 min
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 2%
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 TPU GF20 — frequently asked
Is TPU GF20 stronger than TPU As Printed?
Yes. TPU GF20 has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) for TPU As Printed — about 61% more.
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, As Printed or GF20?
Shore A 85 is the default TPU condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As Printed nor GF20). 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.
Which is easier to machine, TPU As Printed or TPU GF20?
TPU GF20. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for TPU As Printed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU As Printed and TPU GF20 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.