TPU

Flexible TPU Filament 1.75 mm

Soft, grippy 3D printer filament for parts that bend instead of break

  • 1.75 mm ± 0.05 mm
  • 1 kg / 2.2 lb spool
  • 344% strain at break
  • AMS compatible
  • Ships from the USA

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is the flexible 3D printer filament that lets you print parts that bend, stretch, grip and bounce back. Where PLA and PETG snap, TPU absorbs — the technical data sheet measures 344% strain at break, meaning a printed part can stretch to more than four times its length before it fails. That opens up an entire category of prints rigid filaments simply cannot do: phone cases, gaskets, seals, wearables, RC tires, cable protectors and shock absorbers. With an E-modulus of just 37 MPa it is genuinely soft in the hand, yet it still feeds reliably on most extruders and is fully AMS compatible. Like everything else in the range, it is sold in custom packs so you can mix colors and materials in one order.

Ready to print parts that bend instead of break?

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What Makes TPU Filament Different

Flexible & Elastic

An E-modulus of 36.99 MPa — roughly fifty times lower than PETG — combined with 344% strain at break means parts compress, twist and stretch without fatigue cracking or permanent deformation.

Infill percentage becomes a design tool: print at 15% for something soft and squishy, at 60% for something firm and supportive — same filament, completely different feel.

Abrasion & Oil Resistant

TPU outperforms almost every other FDM material in wear resistance. It shrugs off scraping, rubbing and repeated contact, and it resists oils, greases and many solvents that would attack PLA.

That makes it the right choice for RC tires, bushings, wear pads, tool grips and anything used in a workshop or garage environment.

Grip & Shock Absorption

The soft, high-friction surface gives real grip without any coating, and the material naturally damps vibration and impact energy instead of transmitting it.

Perfect for protective cases, feet and bumpers, handle wraps, and mounts that need to isolate a sensitive component from vibration.

TPU Filament Print Settings and Specifications

Values taken from the Fremover TPU technical data sheet (v1.0). Settings are based on a 0.4 mm nozzle. With flexible filament, a short and well-supported filament path matters more than any single temperature value.

Printing Temperature200°C – 250°C
Bed Temperature35°C – 65°C
Printing Speed30 – 100 mm/s
Cooling Fan100%
Drying Settings70°C – 100°C
Retraction Speed10 mm/s
Diameter1.75 mm ± 0.05 mm
Net Weight1 kg / 2.2 lb
Build PlatePEI, glass, BuildTak®, blue tape
AMS CompatibilityYes
Nozzle Sizes0.2 – 1.0 mm
ExtruderDirect drive recommended

TPU Mechanical Properties

Tested to ISO / GB-T standards. For a flexible filament the two numbers that matter most are strain at break and E-modulus — one tells you how far it stretches, the other how soft it feels.

Density1.192 g/cc
Tensile Strength at Yield38.14 MPa
Strain at Yield317.47%
Strain at Break344.52%
E-Modulus36.99 MPa
Melt Index (MFR)10.18 g/10 min at 210°C

Add a whole new category of parts to your printer

Gaskets, grips, cases and wearables that rigid filament simply cannot make

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TPU vs. Rigid Filament: When Flexibility Wins

Advantages of TPU

  • Stretches to 344% of its length before breaking
  • Very low E-modulus (37 MPa) for a genuinely soft feel
  • Outstanding abrasion and wear resistance
  • Absorbs impact and damps vibration
  • Natural grip — no coating or overmolding needed
  • Adjustable feel by changing infill and wall count

Rigid Filament Limitations

  • Cracks or shatters under repeated flexing
  • Cannot seal, cushion or grip
  • Layer lines become failure points under bending
  • Wears down quickly in high-friction applications
  • Transmits vibration and shock straight through
  • No stretch, so no press-fit or snug-fit sealing

TPU is not a replacement for PLA or PETG — it is a complement. Rigid filaments are the right pick for structure, precision and stiffness. TPU is what you use when a part has to seal, cushion, grip, stretch or survive constant flexing. The trade-off is print speed: the data sheet rates it from 30 to 100 mm/s rather than the 300 mm/s a PETG can reach, because soft filament compresses inside the extruder if you push it too hard. Plan for a longer print and you will be rewarded with parts nothing else on your printer can make.

What People Print With TPU Filament

01

Wearables & Grips

Watch bands, handle wraps, insoles, straps and tool grips. TPU is comfortable against skin, holds up to daily flexing, and its natural friction means a printed grip actually grips without any added coating.

02

Gaskets & Seals

O-rings, weather seals, vibration dampers and press-fit bushings. TPU compresses to fill a gap and springs back when released, so a printed gasket seals like an injection-moulded one at a fraction of the cost.

03

Cases & Protective Gear

Phone cases, camera bumpers, drone feet, equipment corners. The material absorbs drop energy rather than transferring it, and it stretches enough to snap over a device and hold tight.

The Five Rules of Printing TPU Successfully

Almost every failed TPU print traces back to the same cause: the filament buckling inside the extruder. These five adjustments fix it on virtually any printer.

  • Stay in the rated window: 30 to 100 mm/s. Start around 30–40 mm/s on your first spool and work up — flexible filament compresses like a spring, and pushing it too fast makes it coil inside the extruder instead of reaching the nozzle.
  • Slow the retraction: The data sheet specifies 10 mm/s, roughly a quarter of what PETG uses. Fast retractions pull soft filament back into the gears where it jams. Keep the distance short and enable combing.
  • Use direct drive if you can: A short filament path between gear and nozzle is the single biggest predictor of TPU success. Bowden setups work but need the slower end of the speed range and minimal retraction.
  • Loosen the extruder tension: Too much grip flattens the filament and causes it to slip and jam. Back the idler off until it feeds smoothly without deforming the strand.
  • Print directly on a clean plate: TPU sticks well at 35–65°C with no glue. Avoid over-squishing the first layer, or removing the part will be harder than printing it.

Every spool ships sealed and packed with silica gel. TPU absorbs moisture faster than almost any other filament, so starting from a properly sealed spool eliminates the most common source of bubbling and stringing.

Best Uses for Flexible TPU Filament

Phone & Device Cases

Shock-absorbing cases that stretch over a device and hold tight without cracking.

Gaskets & Seals

Custom O-rings, weather stripping and press-fit seals that compress and rebound.

Soles & Insoles

Comfortable, flexible footwear parts that handle thousands of compression cycles.

RC & Drone Tires

High-grip, abrasion-resistant tires and landing feet that survive rough terrain.

Cable Strain Reliefs

Flexible protectors that stop cables from fraying at connectors and bends.

Vibration Dampers

Feet, mounts and isolators that keep machines quiet and equipment steady.

How to Print TPU: Settings and Troubleshooting

Getting Started

  • Start at 30–40 mm/s on your first spool; the rated range goes up to 100 mm/s
  • Begin at 220°C nozzle and 50°C bed, then adjust in 5°C steps within the 200–250°C window
  • Set retraction speed to about 10 mm/s and keep the distance short
  • Loosen extruder tension so the filament feeds without being flattened
  • Keep the filament path as short and unobstructed as possible

Advanced Techniques

  • Change the feel of a part by adjusting infill: 15% for soft, 60% for firm
  • Use 3–4 perimeters for parts that will stretch repeatedly
  • Enable combing and disable Z-hop to reduce stringing without adding retraction
  • Print a small tolerance test before any press-fit gasket — TPU compresses under load
  • The data sheet allows drying up to 100°C in a blast oven; in a standard filament dryer stay near 70°C
Storage Tip: TPU is one of the most hygroscopic filaments available — it can absorb enough moisture in a single humid weekend to ruin surface quality. Store it sealed with fresh silica gel at all times, and in humid climates print straight from a dry box. If prints start popping or stringing, dry it before changing any setting.

TPU Filament FAQ

Can my 3D printer handle TPU filament?

Most modern printers can, and this TPU is AMS compatible. Direct drive extruders handle it easily; Bowden setups also work but need the slower end of the range, minimal retraction and a well-constrained filament path. The main requirement is that the filament cannot buckle anywhere between the drive gear and the nozzle. If you hear grinding or clicking, slow down before you change anything else.

How flexible is this TPU, exactly?

The data sheet measures 344% strain at break and an E-modulus of 36.99 MPa. In practical terms a printed part stretches to more than four times its original length before failing, and feels roughly like a firm rubber — clearly flexible, but not floppy. You can tune the final feel of any part by changing infill density and wall count.

What temperature should I print TPU at?

The data sheet gives 200 to 250°C at the nozzle and 35 to 65°C at the bed, with part cooling at 100%. Most printers do well starting at 220°C and 50°C. Adjust in 5°C steps: hotter for better layer bonding, cooler if you are fighting stringing.

Why is my TPU stringing so much?

Two causes, in order of likelihood. First, moisture — TPU absorbs water very quickly, and wet filament strings no matter what settings you use, so dry it before anything else. Second, temperature — drop the nozzle 5°C at a time within the 200–250°C window and enable combing rather than adding retraction, which tends to make TPU jam.

How strong are TPU prints?

Very strong in the way that matters for flexible parts: 38.14 MPa tensile strength combined with enormous elongation means they resist tearing, abrasion and repeated bending far better than any rigid filament. TPU also has excellent layer adhesion, so printed parts rarely delaminate. It is not stiff, so it is the wrong choice for anything that must hold a precise rigid shape under load.

Is TPU the same as TPE or generic flexible filament?

TPU is one specific type of thermoplastic elastomer, and it is the most printable one. Generic TPE grades are often softer and much harder to feed without jamming. TPU gives you the useful part of flexibility — stretch, grip and rebound — while still being firm enough to push reliably through a standard extruder.

Can I print TPU without a heated bed?

Usually yes — TPU sticks well to most surfaces even cold. The data sheet recommends 35 to 65°C, which improves first layer adhesion and makes large flat parts more consistent. Avoid glue sticks and avoid over-squishing the first layer, or removal becomes difficult.

Is TPU waterproof?

Printed TPU parts have excellent layer bonding and are effectively water resistant, which is why the material works so well for seals and outdoor grips. For a fully watertight part, use 4 to 5 perimeters or print in vase mode, the same as you would with PETG.

How do I buy it — can I mix colors and materials?

Yes. TPU is sold in custom packs rather than one spool at a time: you choose how many spools you want and pick any combination of colors, and you can mix in other materials such as PLA+, PETG or ASA in the same pack. Build your pack on the bundle page and the price is calculated per spool, with free shipping within the contiguous USA.

Other Fremover Filaments

Need something rigid for the same project? Compare TPU with the rest of the range, or mix several materials into a single pack.

Unlock the Prints Rigid Filament Can’t Do

TPU turns your printer into a tool for gaskets, grips, cases and wearables. 344% strain at break, AMS compatible, sealed with silica gel and held to a 1.75 mm diameter within ±0.05 mm — sold in custom packs you build yourself.

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Sold in custom packs · Free shipping within the contiguous USA

Why Buy TPU Filament From Fremover

TPU is the filament that most obviously expands what a 3D printer can do. Everything else on your shelf makes rigid objects; TPU makes things that stretch, seal, grip and bounce. Once you have printed a custom gasket that actually seals or a phone case that actually protects, it stops being an experimental material and becomes a staple.

What matters most with a flexible filament is consistency, because a diameter that wanders is what turns a long print into a jam. These spools hold 1.75 mm within ±0.05 mm, arrive sealed with silica gel so moisture is never the variable, and come backed by a published technical data sheet. Everything ships from the USA and is sold in custom packs, so you can try TPU alongside the materials you already print without committing to a full shelf of it.