TPU 68D

TPU 68D is a higher-hardness thermoplastic polyurethane for 3D printed parts. It combines the rigidity and controlled feel of an engineering plastic with the toughness, flexibility and impact resistance typically associated with TPU.

The material is especially well suited for functional parts that require toughness, impact resistance and controlled flexibility. With a Shore D 68 hardness, TPU 68D feels noticeably firmer than softer TPU grades measured on the Shore A scale, such as TPU 95A, while still retaining TPU’s characteristic recovery and resistance to mechanical stress.

TPU 68D feels closer to a hard plastic than a traditional soft TPU, but it still provides the key benefits of TPU materials: toughness, resilience and good impact resistance. This makes it useful for functional components that need to withstand knocks, bending, vibration or repeated handling.

The material is a good choice when a part needs durability, controlled flexibility and user comfort without becoming too soft or easily compressed. TPU 68D is suitable for protective parts, firm grip surfaces, damping components, flexible mounts and technical end-use parts where both shape control and resistance to mechanical stress are important.

Properties

The key strengths of TPU 68D are toughness, good impact resistance and controlled flexibility. The material can tolerate bending, compression and mechanical loading while feeling significantly firmer than traditional soft TPU materials.

According to the manufacturer’s technical data, the material has a tensile strength of 22.4 MPa and an elongation at break of over 650% in the XY direction. This indicates excellent stretchability and the ability to accommodate mechanical stress. The impact strength in the XY direction is reported as 124.3 kJ/m², supporting its use in protective and impact-resistant components.

The surface has a slightly rubber-like, grippy feel. This is useful in handles, protective covers, feet, stoppers and other components where improved friction or a more comfortable contact surface adds value.

TPU 68D is also resistant to most oils and greases, which expands its use in technical and functional parts.

Higher-hardness TPU for functional parts

TPU 68D works well in applications where a part needs both flexibility and a firm, controlled structure. It can help protect other components, absorb impact, reduce vibration, add grip or improve user comfort.

Softer TPU materials are often highly flexible and rubber-like. TPU 68D brings a more technical feel to the same material family. It is a tough and firm material for parts that need to hold their shape well while still tolerating stress and impact.

From a designer’s point of view, TPU 68D makes it possible to create parts that combine flexibility, wear resistance, impact resistance and good handling properties. The feel and flexibility of the final part can also be adjusted through design: thinner walls and lighter structures increase flexibility, while thicker walls and denser structures make the part more supportive and firm.

How does TPU 68D compare with TPU 95A and PA12?

TPU 68D sits between softer TPU materials and rigid engineering plastics. It is clearly harder and more structured than TPU 95A, but more flexible and tougher than many hard plastics.

TPU 95A is softer, more rubber-like and more flexible. It is well suited for parts that need softness, compressibility, grip or damping. TPU 68D, on the other hand, is suitable when TPU toughness and impact resistance are needed, but the final part should feel firmer and more technical.

PA12 SLS, such as PA2200, is a rigid and versatile engineering plastic widely used for dimensionally accurate prototypes, housings, brackets and end-use parts. PA2200 has a Shore hardness of Shore D 75, which means TPU 68D is relatively close to PA12 SLS in hardness. In practical feel and performance, however, the difference is clear: TPU 68D adds more flexibility, resilience and impact resistance to the part.

The advantage of TPU 68D is its position between these material types: it offers more flexibility and toughness than hard engineering plastics, while feeling much firmer than softer TPU grades.

Applications

TPU 68D is well suited for parts that require impact resistance, controlled flexibility, grip or resistance to mechanical stress.

Typical applications include:

• protective covers and housings
• phone and device covers
• grip surfaces and handles
• feet, bumpers and stoppers
• door stops and protective plugs
• damping parts and pads
• vibration-damping components
• sports equipment parts and protective components
• flexible mounts
• cable protectors and grommets
• flexible robotics components
• functional prototypes

TPU 68D is useful when a part needs the toughness of a rubber-like material, but the final result must be firm, durable and suitable for repeated use. It is especially well suited for functional 3D printed parts where protection, user comfort, impact resistance and long service life are important.

3D Printing technology:: FDM
Build chamber/max size: 300mm x 300 mm x 300 mm
Layer thickness: 200 um
Dimensional accuracy: ± 0,2mm + ± 0,1mm/100mm