3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

e-TPU vs LW-PLA

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

Foaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air) guideLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore e-TPU comparisonsMore LW-PLA comparisons
e-TPU vs LW-PLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air)FLEXLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.05/kg median; $41.99–$85.29/kg across 6 dated product listings$47.48/kg median; $37.49–$50.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryFoaming thermoplastic polyurethane — a blowing agent expands the extrudate so the printed Shore hardness can be tuned by flow rate[1]PLA with a blowing agent. Two distinct types: active-foaming grades that expand at the nozzle (Bambu Lab PLA Aero, colorFabb LW-PLA) and pre-foamed grades that do not (Polymaker PolyLite LW-PLA, PolyWood)[2][3][4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.15 filament (Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air) and 1.05 (Roamr TPU Air HR), ISO 1183; the printed part falls to 0.51–0.93 depending on nozzle temperature (ISO 845)[6][7]Filament 1.21 (Bambu Lab) and 1.24 (colorFabb); pre-foamed filament 0.8 (PolyWood, at 21.5 °C) and 0.9 (Polymaker LW-PLA); foamed prints reach 0.40[2][3][4][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–85; the middle of the market is about 52[8][9][10][11][12][13]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 45[14][3][15]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg42–85 across brands; QIDI TPU-Aero 42, Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air 45, Phaetus aeFlex TPU-Aero 49 direct and 40 at West3D, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 55 at 800 g, Recreus Filaflex Foamy 73 at 750 g, colorFabb varioShore 85 at 700 g[8][9][10][11][12][13][16]37–50 across brands; Polymaker LW-PLA 37, Bambu Lab Aero 45, colorFabb 50, PolyWood 50[15][14][3]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands — colorFabb, Recreus, QIDI, Phaetus, Siraya Tech and FusRock all sell an active-foaming TPU[1][8][9][10][12][13]Available from several mainstream brands[14][15][3]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 1 and 3 kg spools[1][8][10][11][13]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools[15][3]
Typical applicationsCushioning, midsoles, insoles and soft-touch parts where the softness needs to vary within one print; Siraya Tech's Roamr line is aimed specifically at printed footwear[1][11]RC aircraft, drone airframes and large props where mass matters more than strength[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mm0.03 (Siraya Tech and Roamr, 1.75 mm)[6][7]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C230–270 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 220–260 (Roamr); foaming activates near 230 °C and is strongest at the top of the range[1][6][7][12]210–260 (Bambu Lab, foaming); 195–260 (colorFabb, foaming); 190–210 (Polymaker, pre-foamed)[2][3][4]
Bed temperature°C30–45 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 35–50 (Roamr) — a hot bed makes the foamed part over-stick[6][7][12]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–60 (colorFabb); 25–60 (Polymaker)[2][3][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine — Roamr states no enclosure is required[1][7]Open frame is fine[4]
Part cooling fan100 % — cooling sets the foamed structure quickly (Siraya Tech and Roamr)[6][7]Fan on[2][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent, and Siraya Tech recommends PVP glue or Magigoo as a release agent on PEI[17][18][6]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sUp to 12 (Siraya Tech, Flex TPU Air)[10]3.2–8 at the 40–100 mm/s colorFabb specifies and the 50–100 mm/s Polymaker specifies, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][3][19]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Severe — the material expands inside the hot end, so it oozes on travel moves; QIDI states retraction tuning cannot fix it and Siraya Tech advises setting retraction distance and speed to zero[6][12]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; both density and hardness follow nozzle temperature and flow[1]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; flow has to be cut to match the expansion[3]
Extruder requirementDirect drive; the base material is a 92A TPU[1][20]Bambu Lab PLA Aero is 0.4 mm nozzle only on the store and wiki, while its own TDS lists 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8[2][21]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely — Roamr states plainly that no hardened nozzle is needed[22][7]Brass fine indefinitely[4][5]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[22]Non-abrasive[4][5]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedHigh — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; Bambu Lab warns the foamed extrudate swells and easily clogs the nozzle, and rules out 0.2 mm nozzles[21]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[17]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate[23]Moderate — 0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 % equilibrium (Polymaker)[2][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.09 water absorption (QIDI TPU-Aero; the standard is not stated)[12]0.45 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 equilibrium (Polymaker)[2][4]
Drying temperature & time70–80 °C for 4–6 h; keep below 15 % RH while printing (Siraya Tech, Roamr and QIDI)[6][7][12]55 °C for 6–8 h[2][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; Siraya Tech adds that moisture wrecks the foaming itself, not only the surface[23][6]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[23]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[23]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[23]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPaFalls with foaming: colorFabb 24 unfoamed and 12 foamed (ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 10.3 at break printed at 240 °C down to 3.8 at 270 °C; QIDI 6.81 at break (ISO 527, XY)[1][6][12]24 ± 2 (Bambu Lab) and 24.4 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 43.1 unfoamed to 10.8 at 45 % flow[2][4][3]
Young's modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A)[1]1350 ± 250 (Bambu Lab) and 1689 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 3334 unfoamed to 864 foamed[2][4][3]
Elongation at break%465 unfoamed and 450 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 629 at 240 °C down to 475 at 270 °C; Roamr 760 down to 540; QIDI 576 (ISO 527, XY)[1][6][7][12]2.6 ± 0.7 (Bambu Lab) and 8.8 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[2][4]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented45 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 50.2 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[2][4]
Flexural modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed flexural modulus (colorFabb, ISO 178)[1]1690 ± 120 (Bambu Lab) and 1959 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[2][4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented8.2 ± 0.7 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 3.67 foamed[2][3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 28.8 printed XY (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 5.46 foamed[2][3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented18 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z collapses to 17 against 45 in XY[2]
Brittleness1–5Very ductile — bends far before failing[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[2]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellTunable by nozzle temperature: colorFabb 92 Shore A unfoamed; Siraya Tech 78 A printed at 240 °C falling to 63 A at 270 °C, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 80 A down to 66 A and HR 85A 83 A down to 70 A (ISO 7619)[1][6][7][24]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; a printed 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[25]Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, and the foam carries less solid[26][27][28]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[18]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation at break falls to 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[29][2]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rubbery / highly elastic[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented75 by tensile, 38 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented53 (Bambu Lab) and 54 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented48 (Bambu Lab) and 50 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented55 (Bambu Lab) and 59 (Polymaker), DSC[2][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CVicat softening drops as the foam expands: 83 printed at 240 °C to 53 at 270 °C (Siraya Tech, ISO 306); QIDI 70.4[6][12]150 peak melt (Polymaker, DSC); Vicat 60 °C[4]
Annealing responseFoaming activates near 230 °C and expands the extrudate about 1.6×; colorFabb advises dropping flow to 60–70 % to realise the weight saving, and Siraya Tech publishes a flow schedule from 85–90 % at 230 °C down to 50–55 % at 270 °C[1][6]Bambu Lab advises against annealing thin, low-infill Aero prints[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[18]Degrades within weeks outdoors[30]
Chemical resistanceWithstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[18]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[18]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not documented
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[18]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[31]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[31]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[31]None needed in a normal room[31]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningDifficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[18]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[18]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[18]Not documented
Support material pairingPolymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[18]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailFoamed surfaces are matte and textured; holding a consistent hardness means holding the nozzle temperature steady, and the printed density moves by nearly a factor of two across the 230–270 °C window[1][6]Foamed surfaces are rough and matte; dimensional accuracy depends on holding the foaming temperature steady[2][3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[32]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix; the foamed wall wicks solvent right through instead of only skinning over.[33]
Softened or crazed byToluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; the foamed wall soaks up esters and alcohols faster still.[32]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[33][34]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[32]Chloroform vapour reaches only the resin skin; no workshop-safe smoothing agent exists for PLA of any kind.[35][34]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. varioShore TPU Technical Data Sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V4.0 — PLA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. LW-PLA technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PolyLite LW-PLA Technical Data Sheet (V7.0) Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  5. PolyWood Technical Data Sheet Version 4.0 (Nov 2018) Polymaker (copy hosted by 3Dee) · 2018-11 · tds
  6. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  8. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. varioShore TPU Natural — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Black Filament — lightweight foaming flexible, product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. TPU-Aero Lightweight TPU Filament — product page with specification tables QIDI Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. aeFlex TPU-Aero — active foaming low weight TPU, product page Phaetus · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. PLA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Phaetus aeWorthy TPU-Aero — reseller listing West3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  18. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  20. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  21. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Roamr TPU Air HR 85A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  25. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  26. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  29. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  30. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  32. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper