TPU-Ether
GB GB/T 20393 · ISO 18064 TPU-E
TPU-Ether is a polyether-polyol thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer to GB/T 20393, stocked from 70A to 64D plus GF15/GF30, FR-V0, UV, MED/FDA, ESD, expanded (E-TPU) and filament (FIL) grades.
Reference datasheet — TPU-Ether is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the 85A condition
TPU-Ether grades and fills
TPU-Ether is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. 85A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 12 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expanded (foamed) bead grade | Steam-moulded expanded polyether TPU beads for high-rebound cushioning midsoles and sports padding. | 3 | 150 | 40 Shore A | |
Antistatic / dissipative compound | Carbon-black or ionic-antistat filled TPU for fuel hose liners, ESD flooring, rollers and cleanroom parts. | 30 | 400 | 38 Shore D | |
Soft grade, Shore 70A | Choose for very flexible seals, soft grips and highly flexible cable jackets needing maximum elongation. | 32 | 680 | 22 Shore D | |
halogen-free flame retardant | Cable jacketing and enclosures requiring UL 94 V-0 / low-smoke halogen-free performance. | 32 | 420 | 38 Shore D | |
15 % glass-fiber reinforced | Use when a TPU part needs several times higher stiffness and lower creep while keeping some toughness. | 35 | 30 | 68 Shore D | |
Shore 80A soft-medium grade | Flexible tubing, soft overmolding and low-temperature cable sheathing. | 40 | 600 | 30 Shore D | |
85ADefault Unfilled natural, Shore 85A general purpose | Default balance of elasticity, tear strength and processability for hose, cable jacket and film. | 45 | 550 | 35 Shore D | |
30 % glass-fiber reinforced | Maximum stiffness/dimensional stability version; loses nearly all elastomeric behaviour. | 45 | 15 | 74 Shore D | |
Shore 90A medium-hard grade | Best all-round abrasion and tear resistance for hoses, rollers and mid-sole/outsole parts. | 48 | 520 | 40 Shore D | |
Shore 55D rigid elastomer grade | Semi-rigid grade for ski boots, couplings, wheels and thin-wall pressure tubing. | 50 | 420 | 55 Shore D | |
Shore 95A hard grade | Pick for high-load wear parts, pneumatic tubing and 3D-printing filament where stiffness matters more than softness. | 52 | 480 | 48 Shore D | |
Shore 64D rigid grade | Hardest standard polyether TPU; structural/snap-fit parts and stiff conveyor or roller covers. | 55 | 330 | 64 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TPU-Ether is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FIL | 3D printing filament grade | Printing process |
FDA | Food-contact compliant grade | Certification |
MED | Medical grade | Certification |
UV | UV/weather stabilized | Grade option |
What is TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ether is a polyether-polyol thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer to GB/T 20393, stocked from 70A to 64D plus GF15/GF30, FR-V0, UV, MED/FDA, ESD, expanded (E-TPU) and filament (FIL) grades. It is chosen for hydrolysis, microbial and low-temperature flexibility performance better than polyester TPU, in extruded film, tube and cable jacket as well as injection-moulded covers; the default grade gives 45 MPa tensile strength, 550 % elongation and Shore D 35 at 1.12 g/cm3. Oil, heat and abrasion resistance are lower than the ester type, and continuous service is limited to about 80 °C. Where oil contact governs, specify TPU-Ester. TPU-Ether has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -60°C (-76 °F). TPU-Ether has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 550% and the elastic modulus is 0.03 GPa (0.0044 Msi).
What is TPU-Ether used for?
- cable jacketing
- flexible tubing
- medical tubing
- waterproof breathable film
- phone cases
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 94% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 550%, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1%, worse than 84% of polymer grades
TPU-Ether properties
Typical room-temperature values for TPU-Ether-85A; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical7
TPU-Ether has a density of 1.12 g/cm³ (0.0405 lb/in³), lighter than 64% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -60°C (-76 °F).
Mechanical10
TPU-Ether has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 550% and the elastic modulus is 0.03 GPa (0.0044 Msi).
Thermal9
TPU-Ether is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 170 µm/m·K (94.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
TPU-Ether is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TPU-Ether takes about 110 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
TPU-Ether's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. TPU-Ether is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TPU-Ether
Is TPU-Ether easy to machine?
Machinable on rigid 55D–64D grades with very sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed; soft A-grades deflect and smear — water-jet, die-cut or freeze before turning.
Can TPU-Ether be welded?
Excellent for high-frequency (dielectric), hot-plate, hot-air and ultrasonic welding as well as solvent/adhesive (polyurethane or cyanoacrylate) bonding.
Can TPU-Ether be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80–100 °C to <0.02 % moisture; injection melt 190–225 °C, mold 20–50 °C, low shear screws and generous gates; extrusion for film, tube and cable jacket with 20–30 °C rising barrel profile.
TPU-Ether chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polyether polyol soft segment (PTMEG / PPTMEG (polytetramethylene ether glycol) most common; gives hydrolysis and low-T performance | 45 – 70 | 58 |
| MDI (4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate)hard-segment isocyanate; TDI/HDI/H12MDI used in aliphatic non-yellowing types | 20 – 35 | 28 |
| 1,4-butanediol chain extenderhard-segment chain extender | 5 – 15 | 10 |
| processing aids, waxes, antioxidants, UVgrade dependent; FR or filler packages replace part of the resin | 0.2 – 4 | 1.5 |
What surface finishes work on TPU-Ether?
Takes PU-based paints, in-mold film decoration, flock and pad printing after flame/plasma or primer treatment; cannot be plated conventionally, mold-texture replication is excellent.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to TPU-Ether in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ISO
- 18064 TPU-E
- GB (China)
- GB/T 20393
- Also called
- TPU-E
How much does TPU-Ether cost?
TPU-Ether is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TPU-Ether — frequently asked
What is TPU-Ether used for?
TPU-Ether is typically used for cable jacketing, flexible tubing, medical tubing, waterproof breathable film and phone cases. In short: best hydrolysis resistance TPU; good low-temperature flexibility; standard cable jacket TPU.
What is the tensile strength of TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ether has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 52% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is TPU-Ether easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of polymer grades). Machinable on rigid 55D–64D grades with very sharp, high-rake tools, high speed and low feed; soft A-grades deflect and smear — water-jet, die-cut or freeze before turning.
Can TPU-Ether be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent for high-frequency (dielectric), hot-plate, hot-air and ultrasonic welding as well as solvent/adhesive (polyurethane or cyanoacrylate) bonding.
What surface finishes work on TPU-Ether?
Takes PU-based paints, in-mold film decoration, flock and pad printing after flame/plasma or primer treatment; cannot be plated conventionally, mold-texture replication is excellent.
Can TPU-Ether be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80–100 °C to <0.02 % moisture; injection melt 190–225 °C, mold 20–50 °C, low shear screws and generous gates; extrusion for film, tube and cable jacket with 20–30 °C rising barrel profile.
What is the maximum service temperature of TPU-Ether?
TPU-Ether is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TPU-Ether cost?
TPU-Ether is a premium-cost polymer ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 18064 Thermoplastic elastomers — Nomenclature and abbreviated terms — ISO (2014)
- Elastollan 1100 series (polyether TPU) product range brochure — BASF (2023)
- Desmopan / Texin polyether TPU technical data — Covestro (2023)
- Estane TPU polyether grades data sheets — Lubrizol Engineered Polymers (2022)
- CAMPUS plastics database — TPU-ARET/TPU-ARES entries — CWFG (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.