TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ester
Polymer · grade comparison
TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ester are both polymer grades. TPU-Ester is harder — 40 Shore D against 35 Shore D for TPU-Caprolactone — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TPU-Ester is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 0.03 GPa). On the shop floor, TPU-Caprolactone forms better (excellent vs very good) and TPU-Ester sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPU-Caprolactone (premium, $$$).
TPU-EsterChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when cost is the deciding factor.
TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ester: 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
Elongation at Break
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 45 MPa6.5 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
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 · Limiting Oxygen Index 21% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 120°C248 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Volume Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
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 · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Weldability 85 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 25 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 210°C410 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
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 | TPU-Caprolactone | TPU-Ester |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ester — frequently asked
What is the difference between TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ester?
TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ester are both polymer grades. TPU-Ester is harder — 40 Shore D against 35 Shore D for TPU-Caprolactone — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TPU-Ester is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 0.03 GPa).
Which is cheaper, TPU-Caprolactone or TPU-Ester?
TPU-Ester is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while TPU-Caprolactone is premium ($$$). 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, TPU-Caprolactone or TPU-Ester?
TPU-Ester. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for TPU-Caprolactone.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ester 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.