Yoline Lab TPU 3D Printing Filament Guide

Complete Analysis of TPU85A, 90A, 95A, 98A, and 72D

Release Date: 2026

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is one of the most popular flexible materials in FDM 3D printing today.

Compared to traditional rigid materials like PLA, PETG, and ABS, TPU combines rubber-like elasticity with the durability of engineering plastics. It withstands repeated bending, stretching, impact, and friction without easily breaking.

From phone cases, drone dampening parts, and robot components to industrial jigs, protective products, and engineering applications, TPU has become a core material in the flexible 3D printing space.

The Yoline Lab TPU series is developed based on high-performance polyurethane formulations. Through strict control of raw material quality, moisture content, extrusion processes, and diameter accuracy, we achieve excellent printing performance while offering a complete product lineup from ultra-soft to engineering-grade high-hardness TPU.

Whether you are a beginner, maker, product designer, or industrial user, you will find the right TPU solution in the Yoline Lab TPU series.

What is TPU?

TPU is a thermoplastic elastomer that combines rubber-like elasticity with plastic processability.

Simply put:

• PLA is like hard plastic.
• TPU is closer to rubber.

Compared to ordinary plastics, TPU's key features are:

• Bendable
• Stretchable
• Compressible
• Fast recovery

It also offers:

• High abrasion resistance
• High impact resistance
• Good oil resistance
• Excellent low-temperature performance

Therefore, TPU is widely used in:

• Shoe soles
• Phone cases
• Seals
• Cushioning pads
• Industrial protective parts
• Automotive components
• Consumer electronics
• And increasingly, functional 3D printed parts

TPU vs. PLA: Key Differences

If your model requires flexibility, impact resistance, vibration damping, or long-term use, TPU is often a better choice than PLA.

Why Choose Yoline Lab TPU?

1. High-Speed Printing Capability

Traditional TPU materials often require reduced print speeds to achieve stable quality. Yoline Lab TPU series features optimized polyurethane formulations and melt flow properties for better high-speed printing adaptability.

• ✔ Supports high-speed printing
• ✔ More stable melt flow
• ✔ Reduced risk of clogging
• ✔ Shorter print times for large models

2. No Direct Drive Extruder Required

For a long time, many users believed TPU required a direct drive extruder. Yoline Lab TPU90A, TPU95A, TPU98A, and TPU72D are specifically optimized for stable feeding performance while maintaining excellent flexibility and strength.

• ✔ No direct drive extruder needed
• ✔ Wider printing parameter tolerance
• ✔ More stable filament feeding
• ✔ Higher print success rate
• ✔ Lower barrier to flexible material printing

3. Ultra-Low Moisture Control

TPU is extremely sensitive to moisture. Yoline Lab TPU uses strict drying processes and vacuum packaging. TPU85A moisture content is only 0.05% , far below industry averages.

• ✔ More stable extrusion
• ✔ Less stringing
• ✔ Better surface quality

4. Excellent Layer Adhesion and Abrasion Resistance

Through optimized melt flow properties and polyurethane structure design, Yoline Lab TPU series achieves outstanding interlayer bonding performance, resulting in:

• Higher structural strength
• Lower risk of delamination
• Longer part lifespan

5. Broad Compatibility with Mainstream 3D Printers

Manufactured to standard 1.75mm specifications, compatible with the vast majority of FDM 3D printers, including:
Bambu Lab, Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo, Prusa, QIDI, Flashforge, Raise3D, Voron, and other 1.75mm filament-compatible FDM devices.

How to Choose TPU Hardness?

For most users, the biggest question isn't whether to choose TPU, but which hardness to choose.

TPU Hardness Reference Table

From 85A to 72D: Flexibility decreases, rigidity increases.

Yoline Lab TPU Series Comparison

Detailed Model Analysis (Based on Official Test Data)

TPU85A: Ultra-Soft Elastic Specialist

Description
TPU85A is a medium-hardness thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer 3D printing filament. It features a matte, semi-frosted surface that is non-glossy, non-sticky, and delicate to the touch. The surface is smooth with no flow marks or sink marks, offering good toughness and resistance to white crease marks when bent.

Tested Performance Data

Key Advantages

• Excellent softness with matte, semi-frosted surface
• Non-sticky, delicate touch
• Resistant to white crease marks when bent
• Low Tg of -40℃ for outstanding low-temperature performance

Drying Parameters
70-80℃ for 4-6 hours, ensuring moisture content below 0.1%

Recommended Applications
Wearable devices, sports protective gear, flexible cushioning parts, phone cases, toys

TPU90A: High-Elasticity Fatigue-Resistant Expert

Description
TPU90A is a thermoplastic polyurethane printing filament with an opaque milky white, matte appearance. It is soft and highly elastic, easily deformable by hand with excellent rebound. It offers superior toughness, low-temperature resistance, flex resistance, ultra-high elongation, and excellent tear strength.

Tested Performance Data

Key Advantages

• Highest elongation at break in the series (550% in XY)
• Soft, highly elastic, easily deformable by hand
• Excellent rebound and tear strength
• Outstanding low-temperature performance (Tg: -34℃)

TPU90A is optimized for print performance, offering excellent feeding stability while maintaining ultra-high elasticity. Most mainstream FDM printers can achieve stable printing without a direct drive extruder.

Drying Parameters
70-80℃ for 4-6 hours, ensuring moisture content below 0.1%

Recommended Applications
Drone landing gear cushions, RC model parts, industrial vibration dampening components, flexible connectors

TPU95A: All-Round Flagship

Description
TPU95A is a thermoplastic polyurethane 3D printing filament with a light bluish-white, misty semi-transparent appearance with faint light transmission. It offers a balanced medium hardness — applying hand pressure causes slight deformation without feeling too soft or collapsing. It delivers a balanced combination of tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and elasticity, making it the universal flagship model.

Tested Performance Data

Key Advantages

• Highest XY tensile strength in the series at 19MPa
• Balanced medium hardness — slight deformation under hand pressure, no collapse
• Balanced tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and elasticity
• Tg of -15℃ suitable for both room temperature and low-temperature use

TPU95A combines high-speed printing capability, print success rate, and comprehensive mechanical properties. It is one of the most print-adaptable models in the Yoline Lab series.

Drying Parameters
70-80℃ for 4-6 hours, ensuring moisture content below 0.1% 

Recommended Applications
Functional parts, industrial jigs, robotics projects, consumer electronics

TPU98A: High-Rigidity Flexible Material

Description
TPU98A is a high-hardness flexible 3D printing filament with a bright, high-gloss surface — the highest gloss level in the series. Ordinary hand pressure cannot deform it. It offers excellent rigidity, good shape retention, superior abrasion resistance, excellent dimensional stability, and no collapse or deformation after printing.

Tested Performance Data

Key Advantages

• Highest surface gloss — bright, high-gloss finish
• Ordinary hand pressure cannot deform it — highest rigidity in series
• Exceptional Z-direction tensile strength of 7.5MPa, excellent layer adhesion
• Excellent dimensional stability, no collapse or deformation after printing

Due to its higher hardness, TPU98A performs exceptionally stably during high-speed printing and long-duration continuous printing, making it ideal for functional parts and industrial applications.

Drying Parameters
70-80℃ for 4-6 hours, ensuring moisture content below 0.1%

Recommended Applications
Industrial parts, rollers, protective housings, high-strength functional components

TPU72D: Engineering-Grade High-Hardness TPU

Description
TPU72D is a high-hardness thermoplastic polyurethane with excellent oil resistance, aging resistance, and weather resistance. It offers low molding shrinkage, high mechanical strength, good rebound resilience, but without the soft,糯 (sticky-soft) feel of low-hardness TPU. The texture is close to hard engineering plastics while retaining polyurethane toughness and resisting brittle fracture.

Tested Performance Data

Key Advantages

• Hardness of 72 Shore D — entering engineering plastic territory
• XY tensile strength of 25MPa — highest strength in the series
• XY impact strength of 150kJ/m² — extremely high impact resistance
• Excellent oil resistance, aging resistance, and weather resistance with low molding shrinkage
• Texture close to hard engineering plastics while retaining polyurethane toughness — resists brittle fracture

TPU72D offers engineering-grade rigidity and excellent toughness while supporting high-speed printing and stable printing without requiring a direct drive extruder.

Drying Parameters
100-105℃ for 2.5-4 hours, ensuring moisture content below 0.1%

Recommended Applications
Industrial jigs, mechanical parts, automotive components, engineering prototypes, manufacturing aids

TPU Printing and Storage Recommendations

Since TPU readily absorbs moisture:

Storage

• Store in sealed containers with desiccant
• Avoid prolonged exposure to ambient air
• Dry before reprinting if exposed

Drying Parameters Summary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is TPU suitable for beginners?
TPU95A and TPU98A are typically best for beginners due to their higher printing stability.

Does TPU absorb moisture?
Yes. TPU is a hygroscopic material. Sealed storage and periodic drying are recommended.

Which TPU is best for phone cases?
TPU85A and TPU90A are closer to traditional phone case feel, offering a delicate touch.

Which TPU is best for functional parts?
TPU95A and TPU98A are the most common choices, offering balanced mechanical properties.

Is TPU72D a flexible material or engineering plastic?
TPU72D is a high-hardness engineering-grade TPU. Its feel is closer to engineering plastic, but it retains TPU's impact resistance and toughness, resisting brittle fracture.

About Yoline Lab

Yoline Lab focuses on the R&D and manufacturing of high-performance 3D printing materials. Through strict raw material selection, low moisture content control, precise diameter management, and continuous performance testing, we are committed to providing reliable 3D printing solutions for makers, designers, engineers, and manufacturers worldwide.

Yoline Lab
Focus on High-Performance TPU Printing Materials
From soft elasticity to engineering strength, there is an optimal choice for every application.