3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

TPU 95A vs TPU 98A

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

TPU 95A guideTPU 98A / hard TPU guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore TPU 95A comparisonsMore TPU 98A comparisons
TPU 95A vs TPU 98A — documented properties and sources
PropertyTPU 95AFLEXTPU 98A / hard TPUFLEX
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $23.00–$106.05/kg across 15 dated product listings$94.99/kg median; $34.99–$149.99/kg across 3 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryThermoplastic polyurethane, polyester or polyether based, at about 92–95 Shore A[1][2]Hard thermoplastic polyurethane at 98 Shore A to about 60 Shore D — the rigid end of the TPU range[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.20–1.25 (ISO 1183); Prusament 1.25, Polymaker 1.20–1.24, Bambu Lab 1.22[1][2][5]1.23 (Fillamentum Flexfill 98A); 1.2 (Extrudr FLEX HARD, ISO 2781)[3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 35; the specialist and industrial brands run to 106[6][7][5][8][9][10]1 kg spools cluster near 150[11]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg23–106 across brands; IEMAI 3D 23, LANDU 24, Siraya Tech 25, PS Imports 25, PrimaCreator 32, Bambu Lab 35–42, Polymaker 40–50, add:north 72, Recreus 90, 3DXTech 96, NinjaTek Cheetah 106[7][12][6][13][8][9][14][15][16][10]95–150 across brands; Proto-pasta Clear Rigid TPU 95, Push Plastic TPU 100A 150[17][11]
Market availability1–5Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[6][13][7][12][8][9]Available from several mainstream brands[11][17][4]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[6][13]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[17][11]
Typical applicationsGaskets, phone cases, tyres, vibration mounts and protective covers[18]Drive belts, wheels, snap-fits and bumpers that need to flex but hold shape under load[3]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.06 (Prusament) — the loosest tolerance Prusa publishes, because soft filament deforms in the gauge[2]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C210–240; Polymaker 210–230, Prusament 230 ± 10, Bambu Lab HF 220–240[1][2][5]230–260 (Extrudr FLEX HARD)[4]
Bed temperature°C25–65; Prusament 65 ± 10, Bambu Lab 30–35, Polymaker 25–60[2][5][1]50–90 (Extrudr FLEX HARD)[4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Open frame is fine[4]
Part cooling fanFan on[1][5]0–30 % (Extrudr FLEX HARD)[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[19][18]PEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent[19][18]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s2.4 at Polymaker's 30–50 mm/s and 2.4 at Prusa's 30 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Bambu Lab's high-flow grade lifts the cap to 200 mm/s (16 mm³/s)[1][2][5]4.6 (Extrudr FLEX HARD, stated max volumetric speed on a 0.4 mm nozzle)[4]
Warping tendency1–5None[1]None[4]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Sticks to most surfaces[1]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker specifies 3–6 mm retraction, well above the 1–3 mm used for rigid filaments[1]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the speed ceiling is the main constraint[1][2]Easy — minor profile tuning; at this hardness the filament pushes like a rigid material[4]
Extruder requirementDirect drive strongly preferred. BASF rates its 95A grade as running on both direct-drive and Bowden machines, but every maker caps speed at 15–50 mm/s unless the grade is specifically high-flow[20][1][2]Bowden viable at this hardness — Extrudr rates FLEX HARD to 100 mm/s where its soft grades cap lower[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[4]Brass fine indefinitely[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[4]Non-abrasive[4]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[21]Low[21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5High — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; soft filament buckles in the cold zone if it slows[18]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[18]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[19]No special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[19]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low (0.1–0.3 %) by Prusa's measurement at 0.04 % in 7 days, but Polymaker measures 0.82 % equilibrium and groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials[2][1][21]Moderate — the TPU family absorbs readily; Extrudr specifies a 12 h dry at 60 °C for FLEX HARD[4][21]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.82 equilibrium (Polymaker); 0.02 after 24 h and 0.04 after 7 days at 22 % RH (Prusa)[1][2]Not documented
Drying temperature & time70 °C for 8 h (Polymaker); 70 °C for 8 h or an 80–90 °C heatbed for 12 h (Bambu Lab)[1][5]60 °C for 12 h (Extrudr FLEX HARD)[4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[21]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[21]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups TPU with nylon, PVA and PETG as highly hygroscopic and says these often need to stay in a dryer while printing; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[21]Polymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[21]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[21]Sealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[21]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa41.4 ± 1.3 printed (Prusament, ISO 37); NinjaTek Cheetah 39 ultimate (ASTM D638)[2][22]53.7 at break (Fillamentum Flexfill 98A, DIN 53504)[3]
Elongation at break%551 ± 24 printed (Polymaker, ISO 37); the filament itself stretches 7264 % before break (Prusa, ISO 527)[1][2]318 at break (Fillamentum Flexfill 98A, DIN 53504); Extrudr FLEX HARD 490 (ISO 527-2)[3][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa9.5 ± 0.2 (Prusament interlayer adhesion, ISO 527)[2]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Very ductile — bends far before failing[1][2]Very ductile — bends far before failing[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell92 ± 0.4 Shore A and 39 ± 0.7 Shore D (Prusament); 95A (Polymaker, ISO 7619-1); 91 Shore A / 40 Shore D (Fiberlogy FiberFlex 40D, ISO 7619); 95A (NinjaTek Cheetah, ASTM D2240); 94.5 A measured on a printed Bambu Lab 95A part and 96.2 A on a Qidi one (My Tech Fun)[2][1][23][22][24]98 Shore A and 60 Shore D (Fillamentum, ISO 7619-1); Extrudr FLEX HARD 58 Shore D (ISO 868)[3][4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; a loaded bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days[24]Poor — no 98A creep test; a printed 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[24]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[18]Excellent — living hinges viable[18]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rubbery / highly elastic[1][2]Semi-flexible[3][4]
Wear resistance & frictionAbrasion resistance is a headline property; BASF measures 64 mm³ loss by ISO 4649 on its 92A grade[20]Abrasion 23 mm³ (Fillamentum, ISO 4649 method A) and 26 mm³ (Extrudr FLEX HARD, ISO 4649-A) — the best abrasion figures in the group[3][4]
Thermal Properties
Melting point / Vicat°C144 melting (BASF 95A, ISO 11357-3); Bambu Lab 183, Polymaker's modulus at 100 % elongation 8.9 MPa[20][5]190–210 melting (Extrudr FLEX HARD, ISO 3146-C); Vicat A 140 (ISO 306)[4]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a melting point of 144–183 °C; no loaded-bar service figure is published for TPU[20][5]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[1]Not documented
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; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[18]
Chemical resistanceGood resistance to oils and common solvents (BASF)[20]Withstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[18]
Food contactNot food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[18]Not food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[18]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not biodegradable[18]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[18]Not accepted in household plastic collection[18]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[25]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[25]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[25]Open a window / occasional ventilation[25]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSanding is impractical — the surface tears rather than abrades[18]Difficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[18]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[18]Cyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[18]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[18]No practical vapour smoothing[18]
Support material pairingPolymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove; PolyDissolve S1 is rated for TPU[18]Polymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[18]
Dimensional accuracy & detailStringing and elephant-foot are the accuracy limits; retraction has to be long and slow[1]Tear strength 170 kN/m (Fillamentum, ISO 34-1) and 175 kN/m (Extrudr FLEX HARD, ISO 34-1B)[3][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[26]DMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[26]
Softened or crazed byToluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; esters swell it severely; ethanol and IPA soften it.[26]Toluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; esters swell it severely; ethanol and IPA soften it.[26]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[26]None practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[26]

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. PolyFlex TPU95 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. Prusament TPU 95A Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2025-05 · tds
  3. Flexfill TPU 98A Technical Data Sheet Fillamentum · 2019-08 · tds
  4. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — TPU 95A HF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. LANDU TPU 3D Printer Filament 1.75 mm 95A Black 1 kg — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI 3D TPU 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Cheetah product page — print guidelines, spool sizes and price NinjaTek · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. TPU for AMS — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Siraya Tech Flex TPU 95A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. PrimaCreator EasyPrint FLEX TPU 95A product page PrimaCreator · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. add:north TPU Pro Matte 95A product page add:north · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Ultrafuse TPU 95A Technical Data Sheet (Version 2.0) BASF Forward AM · 2022-08 · tds
  21. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. NinjaTek technical specs comparison chart (Cheetah, NinjaFlex, Armadillo, Alloy 910, Nylon 645) NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  23. FiberFlex 40D Technical Data Sheet Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  24. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  25. 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
  26. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds