3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

e-TPU vs PC-GF

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

Foaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air) guideGlass-fibre PC (PC-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore e-TPU comparisonsMore PC-GF comparisons
e-TPU vs PC-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air)FLEXGlass-fibre PC (PC-GF)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.05/kg median; $41.99–$85.29/kg across 6 dated product listings$71.27/kg median; $71.27–$71.27/kg across 1 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]Polycarbonate reinforced with 30 wt% short glass fibre[2]
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)[3][4]1.17 (measured on a 100 % infill printed part, ISO 1183-A)[2]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–85; the middle of the market is about 52[5][6][7][8][9][10]1 kg spools cluster near 71[11]
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[5][6][7][8][9][10][12]71 — BASF Ultrafuse PC GF30 at igo3d is the only priced listing found; Owens Corning sells XSTRAND GF30-PC in 500 g and 1 kg[11][2]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands — colorFabb, Recreus, QIDI, Phaetus, Siraya Tech and FusRock all sell an active-foaming TPU[1][5][6][7][9][10]Niche, a handful of specialist brands — neither Polymaker's nor 3DXTech's polycarbonate range contains a glass-fibre grade, but BASF Forward AM and Owens Corning both sell one through European retail[11][2][13][14]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 1 and 3 kg spools[1][5][7][8][10]1.75 and 2.85 mm at +/- 0.05 mm; 500 g and 1 kg net spools[2]
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][8]Functional prototyping for mechanical engineering, electronics and automotive[2]
Diameter tolerance± mm0.03 (Siraya Tech and Roamr, 1.75 mm)[3][4]+/- 0.05 (Owens Corning XSTRAND)[2]
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][3][4][9]280-330 (Owens Corning XSTRAND GF30-PC)[2]
Bed temperature°C30–45 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 35–50 (Roamr) — a hot bed makes the foamed part over-stick[3][4][9]80-110 (Owens Corning XSTRAND GF30-PC)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine — Roamr states no enclosure is required[1][4]Enclosure required (passive) — as for unfilled PC[15][16]
Part cooling fan100 % — cooling sets the foamed structure quickly (Siraya Tech and Roamr)[3][4]Not documented
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][3]Perforated plate, DimaFix or Magigoo PC glue (Owens Corning)[2]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sUp to 12 (Siraya Tech, Flex TPU Air)[7]Not documented
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[3][9]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; both density and hardness follow nozzle temperature and flow[1]Not documented
Extruder requirementDirect drive; the base material is a 92A TPU[1][19]Owens Corning specifies a nozzle above 0.4 mm and hardened steel nozzles and drive wheels[2]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely — Roamr states plainly that no hardened nozzle is needed[20][4]Hardened steel required — Owens Corning states glass reinforcement shortens brass nozzle and drive-wheel life[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[20]Highly abrasive — 30 wt% glass fibre[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedHigh — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; PC already absorbs water from the air and Prusa lists glass-filled composites as a higher clogging risk[21][22]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[17]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate[23]Negligible (<0.1 % EMC) — Owens Corning measures below 0.1 % at 23 °C and 50 % RH (ISO 62)[2]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.09 water absorption (QIDI TPU-Aero; the standard is not stated)[9]Below 0.1 at 23 °C and 50 % RH, and below 0.1 at saturation (ISO 62)[2]
Drying temperature & time70–80 °C for 4–6 h; keep below 15 % RH while printing (Siraya Tech, Roamr and QIDI)[3][4][9]Not documented
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][3]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[23]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24][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][3][9]65 at break (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[2]
Young's modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A)[1]5400 (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[2]
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][3][4][9]2.5 at break (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[2]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented113 at yield (printed, ISO 178 at 2 mm/min)[2]
Flexural modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed flexural modulus (colorFabb, ISO 178)[1]5500 (printed, ISO 178 at 2 mm/min)[2]
Brittleness1–5Very ductile — bends far before failing[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; 2.5 % elongation at break[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][3][4][25]Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales and Shore D 79 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D785, D2240); no figure is published for a glass-fibre grade[26]
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[27]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded unfilled PC ran unbroken at 41 MPa until the test was stopped, and 30 wt% glass raises the tensile modulus from about 2.3 to 5.4 GPa[28][2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[18]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rubbery / highly elastic[1]Rigid[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented137 (printed, ISO 75 Method A at 1.8 MPa)[2]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented145 (DSC, ISO 11357)[2]
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[3][9]270 stated as melting point (ISO 11357) — unusual for an amorphous polymer, but this is the published figure[2]
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][3]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented26.2 in XY and 77.4 in Z (printed, ISO 11359-2) — a threefold anisotropy, and the lowest in-plane expansion of any polycarbonate here[2]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedUL 94 V-0 verified (Owens Corning)[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[18]Good — years with some colour shift. Owens Corning lists UV resistance as a product benefit but publishes no exposure data[2]
Chemical resistanceWithstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[18]Not documented
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedExcellent — essentially unaffected; below 0.1 % water at saturation (ISO 62)[2]
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
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedElectrically insulating (Owens Corning)[2]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[29]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[29]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[29]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29][16]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedOwens Corning warns that the glass reinforcement is abrasive when melted and advises sufficient ventilation and avoiding extrusion fumes[2]
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][3]High dimensional stability is the headline benefit; the 26.2 um/m*K in-plane CTE is a third of unfilled PC's[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[30]Dichloromethane and chloroform dissolve the matrix and leave the fibre; DMF and dioxane do the same (Covestro).[31]
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.[30]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[30]Dichloromethane cement welds the resin, but the fibre keeps the joint from flowing closed. Controlled carcinogen.[32]

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. XSTRAND GF30-PC Data Sheet Owens Corning · 2019-04 · tds
  3. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. varioShore TPU Natural — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Black Filament — lightweight foaming flexible, product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. TPU-Aero Lightweight TPU Filament — product page with specification tables QIDI Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. aeFlex TPU-Aero — active foaming low weight TPU, product page Phaetus · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. BASF Ultrafuse PC GF30 Black 2.85 mm 1.000 g igo3d · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Phaetus aeWorthy TPU-Aero — reseller listing West3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  16. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  18. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  20. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  21. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Roamr TPU Air HR 85A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  26. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  28. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  29. 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
  30. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  32. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds