Ultimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 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.
Plastic PETG and Plastic TPU are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic PETG stronger than Plastic TPU?
Plastic PETG is stronger: its yield strength is 46.2 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (1.95x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?
Plastic TPU is lighter: 1,220 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?
Plastic PETG is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.94 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Plastic PETG deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PETG 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
Plastic PETG
Plastic TPU
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
27.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
5.17x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.95x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.87x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
50% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
34% 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, Plastic PETG or Plastic TPU?
Plastic PETG does: 76.2 °C against 50.3 °C for Plastic TPU, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).