Materials / Compare
FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic TPU Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic TPU strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
Plastic PLA Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic TPU Plastic Nylon Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic PTFE Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 Rubber Wood Aluminum Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Steel Steel AISI 1018 Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Iron Titanium Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Brass C360 Brass C260 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Magnesium AZ91D Zinc Zamak 3 FDM ASA FDM Polycarbonate FDM PAHT-CF FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard SLA Resin Tough 2000 SLA Resin Elastic 50A SLS PA12 Nylon DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Concrete Brick Plywood Drywall PCB Laminate FR-4 PCB Board FR-4, 2 copper planes Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Ceramic Aluminum Nitride Solder SAC305 FDM Polycarbonate 3D printed (FDM) Plastic PLA Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic TPU Plastic Nylon Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic PTFE Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 Rubber Wood Aluminum Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Steel Steel AISI 1018 Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Iron Titanium Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Brass C360 Brass C260 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Magnesium AZ91D Zinc Zamak 3 FDM ASA FDM Polycarbonate FDM PAHT-CF FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard SLA Resin Tough 2000 SLA Resin Elastic 50A SLS PA12 Nylon DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Concrete Brick Plywood Drywall PCB Laminate FR-4 PCB Board FR-4, 2 copper planes Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Ceramic Aluminum Nitride Solder SAC305 Plastic TPU 3D printed (FDM) Mechanical FDM Polycarbonate Plastic TPU Yield strength 53.3 MPa not given (tensile used) Ultimate tensile strength 53.3 MPa 23.7 MPa Flexural strength 89.4 MPa 21.8x stronger in bending 4.1 MPa Elongation at break 9.2 % not sourced Young's modulus (stiffness) 2.39 GPa 35.7x stiffer 0.067 GPa Density range 1,180–1,200 kg/m³ 1,220 kg/m³ Strength to weight 44.8 kN·m/kg 2.31x higher 19.4 kN·m/kg Stiffness to weight 2.01 MN·m/kg 36.6x higher 0.0549 MN·m/kg Poisson's ratio base material 0.38 not sourced Shear modulus 0.867 GPa not sourced Bulk modulus 3.33 GPa not sourced Speed of sound 1,418 m/s 6.05x faster 234 m/s
1k 10k 0.1 1 10 100 Density (kg/m³) Young's modulus (GPa) Plastic PLA Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic Nylon Wood Aluminum Steel Iron Titanium Steel AISI 1018 Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Brass C360 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Brass C260 Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Zinc Zamak 3 Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA FDM ASA FDM PAHT-CF FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard SLA Resin Tough 2000 SLS PA12 Nylon DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Concrete PCB Laminate FR-4 Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Ceramic Aluminum Nitride Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Magnesium AZ91D Solder SAC305 Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 FDM Polycarbonate Plastic TPU Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight 1k 10k 10 100 1k Density (kg/m³) Yield strength (MPa) Plastic PLA Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic Nylon Rubber Wood Aluminum Steel Iron Titanium Steel AISI 1018 Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Brass C360 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Brass C260 Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Zinc Zamak 3 Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic PTFE Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA FDM ASA FDM PAHT-CF FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard SLA Resin Tough 2000 SLA Resin Elastic 50A SLS PA12 Nylon DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Brick PCB Laminate FR-4 Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Magnesium AZ91D Solder SAC305 Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 FDM Polycarbonate Plastic TPU Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
Thermal FDM Polycarbonate Plastic TPU Thermal conductivity base material 0.2 W/m·K not sourced Thermal expansion base material 65 µm/m·K not sourced 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing 325 µm growth not sourced Specific heat not sourced not sourced Heats up and cools (diffusivity) not sourced not sourced Thermal shock resistance 42.5 W/m not sourced Melting point not sourced 217 °C Glass transition 108 °C not sourced Max service temperature HDT 0.455 MPa 105 °C 54.2 °C hotter HDT 0.455 MPa 50.3 °C
1k 10k 0.1 1 10 100 Density (kg/m³) Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) Plastic PLA Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic Nylon Rubber Wood Aluminum Steel Iron Titanium Steel AISI 1018 Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Brass C360 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Brass C260 Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Zinc Zamak 3 Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic PTFE Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA FDM ASA FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Concrete Brick PCB Laminate FR-4 Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Ceramic Aluminum Nitride Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Magnesium AZ91D Solder SAC305 Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 FDM Polycarbonate Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight 0.1 1 10 100 10 100 Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) Thermal expansion (µm/m·K) Plastic PETG Plastic ABS Plastic Nylon Wood Aluminum Steel Iron Titanium Steel AISI 1018 Stainless Steel 304 Stainless Steel 316 Aluminum 6061-T6 Aluminum 7075-T6 Brass C360 Copper C110 Copper C10100 Copper C12200 Glass Steel AISI 1045 Steel AISI 4340 Steel A992 Stainless Steel 303 Stainless Steel 17-4PH Aluminum 2024-T351 Aluminum 5052-H32 Aluminum 7050-T7451 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V Brass C260 Nickel Inconel 718 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 Zinc Zamak 3 Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) Plastic Polycarbonate Plastic POM/Acetal Plastic Nylon PA6 Plastic Nylon PA66 Plastic PEEK Plastic PTFE Plastic UHMWPE Plastic HDPE Plastic Polypropylene Plastic PMMA FDM ASA FDM HIPS SLA Resin Standard DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium DMLS 316L Stainless Steel DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel Concrete Brick Plywood PCB Laminate FR-4 Silicon Ceramic Alumina 96% Ceramic Aluminum Nitride Aluminum A380 Aluminum 6063-T6 Aluminum 1100-O Aluminum 3003-O Aluminum ADC12 Magnesium AZ91D Solder SAC305 Plastic PBT GF30 Plastic PPS GF40 Plastic LCP GF30 FDM Polycarbonate Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
Sources 4 documents: UltiMaker, Covestro
FDM Polycarbonate Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.
Plastic TPU Ultimaker TPU 95A, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 29, 2022. 1 Ultimaker PC Technical Data Sheet, v5.00 UltiMaker archived copy FDM Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, peak stress (= stress at yield)FDM Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Density: rangeFDM Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)2 Ultimaker TPU 95A Technical Data Sheet, v5.00 UltiMaker archived copy Plastic TPU · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic TPU · Flexural strength: typicalPlastic TPU · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic TPU · Density: typicalPlastic TPU · Melting point: typicalPlastic TPU · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)3 Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design Guide Covestro archived copy FDM Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: base material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)4 Makrolon 2405 Technical Data Sheet Covestro FDM Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °CFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
FDM Polycarbonate and Plastic TPU are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions Mechanical Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic TPU? FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (2.25x).
Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU? FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,220 kg/m³ for Plastic TPU.
Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU? FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU? For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be FDM Polycarbonate Plastic TPU Stiff rod or tie (tension) lighter 36.6x heavier Stiff beam (bending) lighter 6.13x heavier Stiff panel or plate lighter 3.38x heavier Strong rod or tie lighter 2.31x heavier Strong beam lighter 1.76x heavier Strong panel or plate lighter 1.54x heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Thermal Which handles higher temperatures, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU? FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 50.3 °C for Plastic TPU, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).