Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values
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 TPU is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic TPU?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (2.74x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,200 kg/m³ against 1,220 kg/m³ for Plastic TPU.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Polycarbonate or Plastic TPU?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic 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
Plastic Polycarbonate
Plastic TPU
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
36.4x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
6.08x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
3.35x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.79x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.99x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
1.68x 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).