TPU-Ester vs TPU-Ether
Polymer · grade comparison
TPU-Ester and TPU-Ether are both polymer grades. TPU-Ester is harder — 40 Shore D against 35 Shore D for TPU-Ether — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TPU-Ether is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.22 g/cm³ for TPU-Ester) and TPU-Ester is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 0.03 GPa). On the shop floor, TPU-Ether forms better (excellent vs very good) and TPU-Ester sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPU-Ether (premium, $$$).
TPU-EsterChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when cost is the deciding factor.
TPU-EtherChoose it when weight is the constraint.
TPU-Ester 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
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Elongation at Break
Flexural Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.49 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 45 MPa6.5 ksi · Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C) 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (Saturation) 1.8% · Refractive Index 1.52
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 170 µm/m·K94.4 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 80°C176 °F · 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
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.8% · Melt Flow Rate 25 g/10 min · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · 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-Ester | TPU-Ether |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
TPU-Ester vs TPU-Ether — frequently asked
What is the difference between TPU-Ester and TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ester and TPU-Ether are both polymer grades. TPU-Ester is harder — 40 Shore D against 35 Shore D for TPU-Ether — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. TPU-Ether is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.22 g/cm³ for TPU-Ester) and TPU-Ester is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 0.03 GPa).
Which is cheaper, TPU-Ester or TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ester is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while TPU-Ether is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, TPU-Ester or TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ether. Its weldability rates excellent (90/100) against excellent (85/100) for TPU-Ester.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU-Ester 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.