Best for
- Soft-touch handles and grips
- No-mark feet
- Low-pressure gaskets for water, acids and alkalis (not oil)
- Grommets and plugs
Not the right choice for
- Load-bearing parts
- Contact with oils, greases or automotive fluids
- Seals that have to hold pressure
TPE as a printed part
TPE prints as a soft-touch rubber that is softer than 95A TPU.
Key properties
| Hardness | 75A to 90A by blend |
|---|---|
| Elongation | from over 250 to 600 percent by blend |
| Abrasion resistance | 111 mm3 (90A) |
| Compression set | 75 percent at 23 C, 93 percent at 70 C (90A) |
What to use instead
- TPU when the part has to take more wear.
- PEBA when the part is a spring rather than a seal.
- Polypropylene (PP) when a living hinge would do the job instead of an elastomer.
The FDM material selector narrows the whole range by operating temperature, load, chemical exposure, and budget.