3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

e-TPU vs PC

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

Foaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air) guidePolycarbonate (PC) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore e-TPU comparisonsMore PC comparisons
e-TPU vs PC — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air)FLEXPolycarbonate (PC)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.05/kg median; $41.99–$85.29/kg across 6 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 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]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[2][3]
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)[4][5]1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[2][6][7][8]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–85; the middle of the market is about 52[9][10][11][12][13][14]1 kg spools cluster near 40[7][15][16]
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[9][10][11][12][13][14][17]30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[15][7][16][18]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands — colorFabb, Recreus, QIDI, Phaetus, Siraya Tech and FusRock all sell an active-foaming TPU[1][9][10][11][13][14]Available from several mainstream brands[7][15][18][16]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 1 and 3 kg spools[1][9][11][12][14]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[15][18][16]
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][12]Light guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[3][2]
Diameter tolerance± mm0.03 (Siraya Tech and Roamr, 1.75 mm)[4][5]±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[6]
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][4][5][13]250–280 across brands; Prusament 275 ± 10, Bambu Lab 260–280, Polymaker 250–270. Polymaker's material guide gives a wider 260–310 for PC and its composites[6][7][2][3]
Bed temperature°C30–45 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 35–50 (Roamr) — a hot bed makes the foamed part over-stick[4][5][13]90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[6][7][2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine — Roamr states no enclosure is required[1][5]Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[2][7][19]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[2][7]
Part cooling fan100 % — cooling sets the foamed structure quickly (Siraya Tech and Roamr)[4][5]Off or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[2][6][7]
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[20][21][4]Textured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[2][22]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sUp to 12 (Siraya Tech, Flex TPU Air)[11]24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker allows 50–200 mm/s and its material guide advises 30–60 for layer adhesion[7][2][3][23]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedSevere — heated chamber needed[2][3][19]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds a specific surface plus adhesive[2][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[4][13]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[3]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; both density and hardness follow nozzle temperature and flow[1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[3][19]
Extruder requirementDirect drive; the base material is a 92A TPU[1][24]All-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely — Roamr states plainly that no hardened nozzle is needed[25][5]Brass fine indefinitely[19]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[25]Non-abrasive[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedModerate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[3]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[26]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[20]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[26][3]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate[27]Low — 0.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.15 % after 7 days at 22 % RH. Polymaker nonetheless calls PC highly hygroscopic in service[7][6][3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.09 water absorption (QIDI TPU-Aero; the standard is not stated)[13]0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[7][6]
Drying temperature & time70–80 °C for 4–6 h; keep below 15 % RH while printing (Siraya Tech, Roamr and QIDI)[4][5][13]80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[7][2][3]
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[27][4]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[27]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[27]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[3][27]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[27]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[3]
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][4][13]53.4 (PolyMax) to 69.1 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 62 +/- 2 and Prusament 63 +/- 1 at yield; Stratasys 62.3-64.6 at yield printed XZ, ASTM D638 (its PC White table duplicates the Antero 840CN03 figures and was not used)[2][28][7][6][29][8]
Young's modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A)[1]2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[7][2][6][29]
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][4][5][13]3.8 (Bambu Lab) to 4.8 (PolyLite) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 14 at break, Prusament 5.8 at yield[7][2][29][6]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[28][7][6][2]
Flexural modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed flexural modulus (colorFabb, ISO 178)[1]2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[28][2][6]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[2][28][6]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's pendulum in either orientation (ISO 179-1); PolyMax PC retains 9.2 kJ/m2 notched at -30 °C. Stratasys PC Black gives 85.3 MPa flexural strength at break in ZX against no break in XZ (ASTM D790, printed)[6][28][8]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented37.1-45.3 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ASTM D638); 41.4 (PolyMax) to 56 (Bambu Lab) printed Z; Prusa's interlayer adhesion test gives 21 +/- 2[6][28][7][8]
Brittleness1–5Very ductile — bends far before failing[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[3][6]
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][4][5][30]Shore D 79 (Prusa Polymers method) and Shore D 79 on extruded PC stock (ASTM D2240); Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales[6][31]
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[32]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC was still running unbroken at 41 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window only at 47-52 MPa (ASTM D638)[33]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[21]Good[6][3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rubbery / highly elastic[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented59-73 (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); 76 for PolyLite PC and 90 for Bambu Lab (printed Z against XY tensile)[7][2][8]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented110 (PolyMax PC-FR) to 114 (PolyMax PC), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 112, PolyLite 111, Prusament 113. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 144 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi)[28][2][7][6][8]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented93 (Prusament) to 117 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite 107, PolyMax 99. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 141 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi)[6][7][2][28][8]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[2][7][3][8]
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[4][13]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[2][28]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[6][31]
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][4]90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[2]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented51.6 in XY over -50 to 30 °C, falling to 35.8 over 30-75 °C and 11.5 over 75-130 °C; 49.2 in XZ over -50 to 120 °C (printed, ASTM E831). Extruded PC stock gives 68.4 (ASTM D696)[8][31]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[34][2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[21]Degrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[3]
Chemical resistanceWithstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[21]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[3]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — minor absorption[7]
Food contactNot food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[21]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[3]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[21]Not biodegradable[3]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[21]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[3]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[29][3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[35]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[35]
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[35]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[35]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[35][19]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningDifficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[21]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[26]
Painting & finishingNot documentedOptical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[3]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[21]Cyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[26]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[21]No practical vapour smoothing[26]
Support material pairingPolymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[21]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[26]
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][4]Warping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[2][3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[36]Dichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[37]
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.[36]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[37]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[36]Dichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[38]

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. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  3. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  4. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  7. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  8. PC (Polycarbonate) — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-04 · tds
  9. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. varioShore TPU Natural — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Black Filament — lightweight foaming flexible, product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. TPU-Aero Lightweight TPU Filament — product page with specification tables QIDI Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. aeFlex TPU-Aero — active foaming low weight TPU, product page Phaetus · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Phaetus aeWorthy TPU-Aero — reseller listing West3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  24. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  26. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Roamr TPU Air HR 85A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  31. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  33. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  34. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  35. 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
  36. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  37. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  38. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds