TPU-Ester vs TPV
Polymer · grade comparison
TPU-Ester and TPV are both polymer grades. TPU-Ester is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.22 ksi) for TPV, about 5.4 times as much. TPU-Ester is the more ductile: elongation 500% versus 450% for TPV, and TPU-Ester is harder (40 Shore D vs 24 Shore D). TPV is lighter (0.97 g/cm³ vs 1.22 g/cm³ for TPU-Ester) and TPU-Ester is stiffer (0.05 GPa vs 0.02 GPa). On the shop floor, TPU-Ester machines more easily (fair vs poor), TPU-Ester welds better (excellent vs very good), and TPU-Ester sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than TPV (premium, $$$).
TPU-EsterChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
TPVChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
TPU-Ester vs TPV: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 2 GPa0.29 Msi
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
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · 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.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Melt Flow Rate 25 g/10 min
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 1
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 | TPV |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
TPU-Ester vs TPV — frequently asked
Is TPU-Ester stronger than TPV?
Yes. TPU-Ester has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.22 ksi) for TPV — about 5.4 times as much.
Which is cheaper, TPU-Ester or TPV?
TPU-Ester is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while TPV is premium ($$$). 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-Ester or TPV?
TPU-Ester. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for TPV; for welding the order is TPU-Ester first (excellent, 85/100) then TPV (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TPU-Ester and TPV 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.