TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ether
Polymer · grade comparison
TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ether are both polymer grades. TPU-Ether is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for TPU-Caprolactone) and TPU-Ether is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 0.03 GPa).
TPU-EtherChoose it when weight is the constraint.
TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ether: 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
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Shear Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 45 MPa6.5 ksi · Elongation at Break 550% · Hardness, Shore D 35 Shore D
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 Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: 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
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Formability (cold) 90 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 25 g/10 min · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 0 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | TPU-Caprolactone | TPU-Ether |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
TPU-Caprolactone vs TPU-Ether — frequently asked
What is the difference between TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ether?
TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ether are both polymer grades. TPU-Ether is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for TPU-Caprolactone) and TPU-Ether is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 0.03 GPa).
Which is cheaper, TPU-Caprolactone or TPU-Ether?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, TPU-Caprolactone or TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ether. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for TPU-Caprolactone; for welding the order is TPU-Ether first (excellent, 90/100) then TPU-Caprolactone (excellent, 85/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU-Caprolactone and TPU-Ether 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.