Plastic TPU vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V

Compare Plastic TPU vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	885MPasourcetypical, plate (>0.187 in), annealed, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	23.7MPasourcetypical, stress at break	940MPasourcetypical, plate, annealed
Flexural strength	4.1MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	16%sourcetypical, in 2 in., plate annealed
Young's modulus (stiffness)	0.067GPasourcetypical	107–122GPasourcetypical range, 20 °C
Density	1,220kg/m³sourcetypical	4,430kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	19.4kN·m/kg	200kN·m/kg10.3x higher
Stiffness to weight	0.0549MN·m/kg	25.8MN·m/kg471x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.342sourcemean of TIMET measurements
Shear modulus	not sourced	42.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	121GPa
Speed of sound	234m/s	5,084m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	not sourced	6.6W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, mill annealed
Thermal expansion	not sourced	9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 0-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	45µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	580J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	2.57mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	3,730W/m
Melting point	217°Csourcetypical	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	50.3°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	400°Csourceupper recommended use 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.	TIMETAL 6-4 (Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5) annealed plate typical (TIMET properties manual) + TIMET datasheet TMC-0150 physical properties

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 Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stronger: its yield strength is 885 MPa against tensile strength 23.7 MPa for Plastic TPU (37.3x).

Which is lighter, Plastic TPU or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Plastic TPU is lighter: 1,220 kg/m³ against 4,430 kg/m³ for Titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Which is stiffer, Plastic TPU or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stiffer: Young's modulus 115 GPa against 0.067 GPa for Plastic TPU, so the same part in Titanium Ti-6Al-4V deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic TPU or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

For the same stiffness or strength: Titanium Ti-6Al-4V 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	Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	471x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	11.4x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	3.29x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	10.3x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	3.08x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.68x 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