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TPU-Ester GF30 vs TPU-Ester HS

Polymer · TPU-Ester grade comparison

TPU-Ester GF30 and TPU-Ester HS are two grades of the same polymer grade, TPU-Ester: GF30 (30 % glass-fiber reinforced polyester TPU) versus HS (hydrolysis-stabilized polyester TPU). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. TPU-Ester GF30 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) against 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) for TPU-Ester HS, about 9% more. In exchange, TPU-Ester HS is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 15% for TPU-Ester GF30, and TPU-Ester GF30 is harder (75 Shore D vs 40 Shore D). TPU-Ester HS is lighter (1.22 g/cm³ vs 1.45 g/cm³ for TPU-Ester GF30) and TPU-Ester GF30 is stiffer (2.4 GPa vs 0.05 GPa). On the shop floor, TPU-Ester GF30 welds better (excellent vs very good).

TPU-Ester GF30Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

TPU-Ester HSChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

TPU-Ester GF30 vs TPU-Ester HS: properties

TPU-Ester GF30TPU-Ester HS

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.4 GPa0.35 Msi
0.05 GPa0.01 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

48 MPa7 ksi
44 MPa6.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

15%
500%

Flexural Modulus

2.5 GPa0.36 Msi
0.05 GPa0.01 Msi

Hardness, Shore D

75 Shore D
40 Shore D

Tear Strength

100 kN/m571 lbf/in
98 kN/m560 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

35%
33%

Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.02 GPa0 Msi · Bulk Modulus 2 GPa0.29 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.49 · Hardness, Shore A 90 Shore A

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.45 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.22 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 210°C410 °F · Glass Transition (Tg) -35°C-31 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.7% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1.8% · Refractive Index 1.52 · Light Transmission 80%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

55 µm/m·K30.6 µin/in·°F
170 µm/m·K94.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

105°C221 °F
85°C185 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

100°C212 °F
102°C216 °F

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 -35°C-31 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 21% · 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).

Corrosion Resistance

75 / 100
82 / 100

Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 40 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Weldability

85 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

80 / 100
85 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
1.2%

Melt Flow Rate

25 g/10 min
22 g/10 min

Same in both: Polishability 50 / 100 · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 210°C410 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale

TPU-Ester GF30 vs TPU-Ester HS — frequently asked

Is TPU-Ester GF30 stronger than TPU-Ester HS?

Yes. TPU-Ester GF30 has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) against 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) for TPU-Ester HS — about 9% more.

Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, GF30 or HS?

90A is the default TPU-Ester condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither GF30 nor HS). 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-Ester GF30 or TPU-Ester HS?

TPU-Ester GF30, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for TPU-Ester HS; for welding the order is TPU-Ester GF30 first (excellent, 85/100) then TPU-Ester HS (very good, 70/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU-Ester GF30 and TPU-Ester HS 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.