Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.
Ultimaker TPU 95A, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 29, 2022.
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
FDM Polycarbonate and Plastic TPU are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic TPU?
FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (2.25x).
Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,220 kg/m³ for Plastic TPU.
Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
FDM Polycarbonate
Plastic TPU
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
36.6x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
6.13x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
3.38x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.31x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.76x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
1.54x heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which handles higher temperatures, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 50.3 °C for Plastic TPU, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).