Materials / Compare

Plastic PETG vs. Plastic TPU

Compare Plastic PETG vs. Plastic TPU strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Plastic PETG3D printed (FDM)
Plastic TPU3D printed (FDM)
MechanicalPlastic PETGPlastic TPU
Yield strength46.2MPa1not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength46.2MPa123.7MPa2
Flexural strength78.9MPa119.2x stronger in bending4.1MPa2
Elongation at break7.6%1not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)1.94GPa128.9x stiffer0.067GPa2
Density1,270kg/m³11,220kg/m³2
Strength to weight36.4kN·m/kg1.87x higher19.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight1.53MN·m/kg27.8x higher0.0549MN·m/kg
Poisson's rationot sourcednot sourced
Shear modulusnot sourcednot sourced
Bulk modulusnot sourcednot sourced
Speed of sound1,236m/s5.27x faster234m/s
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PETGPlastic TPU
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PETGPlastic TPU
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalPlastic PETGPlastic TPU
Thermal conductivitybase material0.21W/m·K3not sourced
Thermal expansionbase material51µm/m·K3not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing255µm growthnot sourced
Specific heatbase material1,300J/kg·K3not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.127mm²/snot sourced
Thermal shock resistancenot sourcednot sourced
Melting pointnot sourced217°C2
Glass transition77.4°C1not sourced
Max service temperatureHDT 0.455 MPa76.2°C125.9 °C hotterHDT 0.455 MPa50.3°C2
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PETG
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PETG
Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: UltiMaker, Eastman
Plastic PETG
Ultimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 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. 1
    Ultimaker PETG Technical Data Sheet, v1.00UltiMakerarchived copyPlastic PETG · Yield strength: typicalPlastic PETG · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, peak stress (= stress at yield)Plastic PETG · Flexural strength: typicalPlastic PETG · Elongation at break: typicalPlastic PETG · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic PETG · Density: typicalPlastic PETG · Glass transition: typicalPlastic PETG · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
  2. 2
    Ultimaker TPU 95A Technical Data Sheet, v5.00UltiMakerarchived copyPlastic 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. 3
    Eastar Copolyester 6763 Product Data SheetEastmanPlastic PETG · Thermal conductivity: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Thermal expansion: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Specific heat: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)

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.

Plastic PETG and Plastic TPU are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Mechanical

Is Plastic PETG stronger than Plastic TPU?

Plastic PETG is stronger: its yield strength is 46.2 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (1.95x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?

Plastic TPU is lighter: 1,220 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?

Plastic PETG is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.94 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Plastic PETG deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PETG 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 bePlastic PETGPlastic TPU
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter27.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter5.17x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter2.95x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter1.87x heavier
Strong beamlighter50% heavier
Strong panel or platelighter34% 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, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?

Plastic PETG does: 76.2 °C against 50.3 °C for Plastic TPU, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).

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