Plastic TPU vs. Plastic UHMWPE

Compare Plastic TPU vs. Plastic UHMWPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	23.7MPasourcetypical, stress at break	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Flexural strength	4.1MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	0.067GPasourcetypical	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	1,220kg/m³sourcetypical	930kg/m³sourcetypical31% lighter
Strength to weight	19.4kN·m/kg	21.5kN·m/kg11% higher
Stiffness to weight	0.0549MN·m/kg	0.71MN·m/kg12.9x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	234m/s	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	not sourced	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	not sourced	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	1,000µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	217°Csourcetypical	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	50.3°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature
Values for	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.	Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)

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 TPU stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic TPU is stronger: its tensile strength is 23.7 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (19%).

Which is lighter, Plastic TPU or Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,220 kg/m³ for Plastic TPU.

Which is stiffer, Plastic TPU or Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic UHMWPE is stiffer: Young's modulus 0.66 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Plastic UHMWPE deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic TPU or Plastic UHMWPE?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic UHMWPE 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 TPU	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	12.9x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	4.12x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	2.81x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	11% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	17% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	21% heavier	lighter

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).

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density