Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)
products
- Thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU 55D
- Thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU 65D-EF
- Thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU 80A (Material Wizard)
- Thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU 83A (Material Wizard)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane Exaflex TPU 85A (Material Wizard)
- Thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU 90A
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane Exaflex TPU 92A (Material Wizard)
- Exaflex TPU 95A thermoplastic polyurethane
- Thermoplastic polyurethane TPU Desmopan 1092A (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU Desmopan 3065D (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU Desmopan 385E (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU Desmopan 385S (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic polyurethane TPU Desmopan 55D (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU Desmopan D403 (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic polyurethane TPU Desmopan D445 (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic polyurethane TPU Desmopan D487 (Covestro)
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU Elastollan 1185A (BASF)
- Glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane Exaflex TPU LGF30
Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) are a class of linear block copolymers with alternating hard urethane and soft polyether/polyester segments, combining the elasticity of vulcanized rubbers (Shore 60A–75D hardness, 400–700% elongation, DIN 53516 abrasion resistance 30–50 mm³) with the processability of thermoplastics (injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, 3D printing, reprocessing). TPU replaces conventional rubbers in parts requiring stable geometry, high wear resistance, a clean process without vulcanization, and the ability to recycle production scrap.
Material Wizard manufactures the Exaflex® TPU line (80A, 83A, 85A, 90A, 92A, and reinforced Exaflex® TPU LGF30) and supplies imported grades — Covestro Desmopan (1092A, 3065D, 385E/S, 55D, D403, D445, D487), BASF Elastollan (1185A and others to order), and, on request, Lubrizol Pearlthane/Estane, Wanhua WHT, Huntsman Irogran, Avient Versollan. We select TPU to match your drawing, operating temperature, type of contact medium (oil, water, fuel), certification requirements (FDA, RoHS, REACH, USP Class VI), and the parameters of your injection molding machine.
Exaflex® TPU — engineering thermoplastic polyurethanes for series production
For practical TPU selection, it is not enough to rely on Shore A or Shore D hardness alone. In an actual part, the material is evaluated by a combination of elastic recovery, abrasion resistance, tear strength, flex behavior, contact with oils or process fluids, processing stability, and the part's dimensional requirements.
A dedicated Exaflex® TPU page brings together the Material Wizard grades from soft 80A–92A to rigid 55D–65D, with direct links to TDS, application guidance, injection and extrusion parameters, and the engineering logic for choosing a grade for a specific part.
Ester vs Ether TPU — a critical choice
| Criterion | Ester TPU (polyester-based) | Ether TPU (polyether-based) |
|---|---|---|
| Oils, petroleum products, fuel | ⭐ Excellent resistance | Moderate resistance |
| Abrasion DIN 53516 | ⭐ Best (~30 mm³) | Good (~40–50 mm³) |
| Tensile strength | ⭐ Higher by 10–15% | Moderate |
| Hydrolysis (water 70 °C, steam) | Degrades within 1–6 months | ⭐ Stable for years |
| Biological resistance (microorganisms) | Sensitive | ⭐ Resistant |
| Operation at -40 °C and below | Down to -30 °C | ⭐ Down to -50 °C |
| Medical use | Not for implants | ⭐ Standard (catheters, tubing) |
| Food contact (FDA) | Selected grades | ⭐ Standard |
| Price | Usually lower | 10–20% higher |
| Typical grades | Exaflex® TPU 80A–92A, Desmopan 385S, Elastollan 1185A | Desmopan 1092A, Pearlthane D85 |
Selection rule: contact with hydraulics/oil/fuel/abrasive → ester. Prolonged contact with water/steam/biological media/-40 °C and below → ether.
TDS table of key TPU grades
Parameters for standard compounds per Material Wizard's internal methods, close to ISO 37 (mechanical), ISO 868 (hardness), DIN 53516 (abrasion), ISO 815 (compression set). Actual batch values are given in the TDS of the specific grade. Tolerance ±2 Shore units from the nominal hardness per ISO 868.
| Parameter | Exaflex 80A | Exaflex 85A | Exaflex 90A | Exaflex 92A | Desmopan 55D | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 80 Shore A | 85 Shore A | 90 Shore A | 92 Shore A | 55 Shore D | ISO 868 |
| Density | 1,12 g/cm³ | 1,11 g/cm³ | 1,10 g/cm³ | 1,10 g/cm³ | 1,19 g/cm³ | ISO 1183 |
| Base type | ester | ester | ester | ester | ester | — |
| MFR (230 °C / 2,16 kg) | 35 g/10 min | 32 g/10 min | 30 g/10 min | 28 g/10 min | 12 g/10 min | ISO 1133 |
| Tensile strength | 32 MPa | 35 MPa | 40 MPa | 37 MPa | 50 MPa | ISO 37 |
| Elongation at break | 650% | 600% | 550% | 500% | 450% | ISO 37 |
| Modulus at 100% | 4,5 MPa | 6,5 MPa | 8,5 MPa | 9,0 MPa | 22 MPa | ISO 37 |
| Flexural modulus | 25 MPa | 50 MPa | 75 MPa | 80 MPa | 200 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Tear strength | 75 kN/m | 100 kN/m | 130 kN/m | 135 kN/m | 180 kN/m | ISO 34-1 |
| Abrasion DIN 53516 | 45 mm³ | 40 mm³ | 36 mm³ | 38 mm³ | 50 mm³ | DIN 53516 |
| Compression set 22 h / 23 °C | 22% | 23% | 25% | 26% | 30% | ISO 815 |
| Compression set 22 h / 70 °C | 30% | 30% | 30% | 32% | 38% | ISO 815 |
| Operating temperature range | -30…+80 °C | -30…+80 °C | -30…+80 °C | -30…+80 °C | -30…+90 °C | — |
| Melting temperature | 200 °C | 210 °C | 220 °C | 220 °C | 230 °C | ISO 11357 |
| Linear shrinkage (along/across) | 1,5–1,7% | 1,5–1,7% | 1,5–1,7% | 1,5–1,7% | 1,2–1,5% | ISO 294-4 |
Separately: Exaflex® TPU LGF30 (reinforced with 30% long glass fiber) — 60 Shore D hardness, 80 MPa tensile strength, 1500 MPa flexural modulus. A structural grade for rollers, gears, and loaded parts requiring dimensional stability.
Equivalents of imported grades
| Imported grade | Material Wizard equivalent | Application |
|---|---|---|
| BASF Elastollan 1180A | Exaflex® TPU 80A | Ester 80A, soft tubing, seals |
| BASF Elastollan 1185A | Exaflex® TPU 85A | Ester 85A, hoses, rollers |
| BASF Elastollan 1190A | Exaflex® TPU 90A | Ester 90A, general purpose |
| Covestro Desmopan 9385A | Exaflex® TPU 85A | Ester 85A, cable insulation |
| Covestro Desmopan 1086A | Exaflex® TPU 85A | Ester 85A, hoses |
| Covestro Desmopan 192A | Exaflex® TPU 92A | Ester 92A, structural parts |
| Covestro Desmopan 1092A | MW import | Ether 92A, hydrolysis-resistant |
| Covestro Desmopan 55D | MW import | Ester 55 Shore D, rollers |
| Covestro Desmopan 3065D | MW import | Rigid 65D, housing parts |
| Covestro Desmopan 385E/S | MW import | FDA-certified for food contact |
| Lubrizol Pearlthane 11T80 | Exaflex® TPU 80A | Ester 80A |
| Lubrizol Estane 58300 series | Exaflex® TPU 90A | Ester 90A for automotive |
| Wanhua WHT-1185A | Exaflex® TPU 85A | Budget Chinese ester |
| Huntsman Irogran A 85 P 4351 | Exaflex® TPU 85A | Ester 85A for hoses |
| Avient Versollan | import on request | TPU+SEBS blends |
How to choose a TPU — a 4-step method
Step 1. Contact medium → base type
| Contact with | Recommended base |
|---|---|
| Oils, hydraulic fluid, fuel, gasoline, diesel | Ester (Exaflex 80A–92A, Desmopan 385S) |
| Water at room temperature (short-term) | Ester or Ether |
| Water 60–90 °C, steam, steam sterilization | Ether (Desmopan 1092A, Pearlthane D85) |
| Biological media (blood, tissue, food products) | Ether medical/FDA grades |
| Marine climate, high humidity | Ether |
| Operation at -40 °C and below | Ether |
Step 2. Part type → hardness
| Part type | Hardness | Recommended grade |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tubing, flexible hoses, interference-fit seals | 75–85 Shore A | Exaflex 80A, 83A, 85A |
| General-purpose hoses, belts, small-diameter rollers | 85–92 Shore A | Exaflex 85A, 90A, 92A; Desmopan 1086A |
| Cable insulation, dampers | 88–95 Shore A | Exaflex 90A, 92A; Elastollan 1190A |
| Shoe soles, sports accessories | 60–90 Shore A | Ether-TPU grades |
| Rollers, gears, housings | 55–75 Shore D | Desmopan 55D, 3065D |
| Structural parts replacing metal | 60 Shore D + GF | Exaflex® TPU LGF30 |
Step 3. Special requirements → modification
| Requirement | Modification |
|---|---|
| Contact with food products | FDA-certified grade (Desmopan 385E/S) |
| Medical implant / catheter | USP Class VI ether-TPU |
| UV resistance (outdoor use) | TPU with stabilizer (on request) or protective coating |
| Antimicrobial treatment | TPU with Ag nano-additives (on request) |
| Self-extinguishing UL 94 V-0 | FR-TPU (Desmopan E-series FR, special request) |
| 3D printing FDM/FFF | TPU 85A–95A with stable MFR |
| Transparency | Aliphatic TPU or certain aromatic grades without carbon black |
Step 4. Budget → supplier
Budget/series production: Exaflex® TPU (the domestic MW line, optimal price, ex-stock availability in Derazhnia). Premium / certified applications: Covestro Desmopan, BASF Elastollan. Special orders: Lubrizol, Wanhua, Huntsman on request.
Application areas
Automotive. High-pressure hydraulic hoses, fuel hoses, seals, silent-block support bushings, engine-compartment cable insulation, dampers, protective boot covers, anti-vibration elements, bumper trims. The standard is ester-TPU 90A–95A (Exaflex 90A, 92A, Desmopan 192A).
Footwear. Soles for sports and work footwear, memory-form insoles, side reinforcements, cleat studs, protective toe caps. The standard is ether-TPU 60–85 Shore A for cushioning, ester-TPU 90–95 Shore A for soles with higher wear resistance.
Medicine and pharmaceuticals. Catheters (central venous, cardiac), infusion systems, drains, endoscopic tubing, cuffs, masks, Luer Lock connectors. The standard is medical ether-TPU certified to USP Class VI / ISO 10993. Material Wizard supplies these grades only via imported Desmopan / Pearlthane MED series.
Industrial hydraulics and pneumatics. High-pressure hoses (up to 35 MPa), hoses for abrasive slurries (concrete, sand, sludge), drive belts, scrapers, conveyor rollers, rollers, bushings. The standard is ester-TPU 90A–60D with or without textile-cord reinforcement.
Cable products. Flexible power cables, cables for articulated robotic joints, cables for outdoor and marine use (-40 °C…+80 °C). The standard is ester-TPU 90A–95A with stable MFR.
3D printing. TPU 85A–95A filaments for functional elastic parts, seal prototypes, flexible housings. Highly dependent on MFR stability and granulate purity.
Sports and protective equipment. Skateboard wheels, roller-skate wheels, ski-pole tips, protective helmets, pads for hockey gear, martial-arts focus-mitt pads.
Agricultural and mining equipment. Protective auger bushings, mine-car liners, belt-conveyor guides, hydraulic-cylinder seals. Ester-TPU 90A–65D with a focus on abrasion resistance.
TPU processing technology
Drying before molding is mandatory. TPU is hygroscopic; residual moisture above 0.03% causes hydrolytic degradation in the melt → a 30–50% loss of mechanical properties, clouding, and surface defects. Regime: 80–100 °C, 3–4 hours, in a dehumidifier dryer with a dew point no higher than -30 °C. Store the granulate in sealed bags with a desiccant.
Typical injection-molding-machine zone temperatures for ester-TPU 85A–92A:
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Feed | 30–50 °C |
| Zone 2 | 170–180 °C |
| Zone 3 | 180–195 °C |
| Zone 4 | 190–205 °C |
| Nozzle | 195–210 °C |
| Mold temperature | 30–50 °C |
For ether-TPU, temperatures are 5–10 °C lower. For rigid 55D–65D grades, they are 10–15 °C higher (210–225 °C at the nozzle).
Injection speed is medium-to-high (TPU is sensitive to friction; excessively high speeds cause local overheating and degradation). Holding pressure is 30–50% of the injection pressure, to avoid stresses.
Mold. Polished surfaces (to reduce sticking of soft grades). Ejector pins with a smooth chromed or titanium-nitride surface. Avoid sharp corners — stress concentration. For long cycles, a cooling system with ±2 °C control.
Shrinkage. Linear 1,2–1,7%, isotropic (unlike glass-filled polyamides). The behavior is repeatable, which simplifies mold design.
Extrusion. Screw L/D 24–30, compression ratio 2,5–3,5. Zone temperatures are 5–10 °C lower than in molding. Hose calibration is smooth, with cooling in a calibration bath.
Glossary of abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Expansion | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| TPU | Thermoplastic Polyurethane | Thermoplastic polyurethane |
| TPE | Thermoplastic Elastomer | Thermoplastic elastomer (generic term) |
| MDI | Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate | Diphenylmethane diisocyanate — the main isocyanate for TPU |
| TDI | Toluene Diisocyanate | Toluene diisocyanate — less common for TPU |
| PTMG | Polytetramethylene Glycol | Polyether diol for ether-TPU |
| PCL | Polycaprolactone | Polyester diol for ester-TPU |
| Shore A / D | — | Hardness scales (softer/harder) per ISO 868 |
| MFR / MFI | Melt Flow Rate / Index | Melt flow rate |
| DIN 53516 | — | Method for determining abrasion (volume loss, mm³) |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration | Certification for food contact (USA) |
| USP Class VI | — | Biocompatibility standard for medical devices |
| LGF | Long Glass Fiber | Long glass fiber (Exaflex® TPU LGF30) |
| FR | Flame Retardant | Flame-retardant modification |
| DAM | Dry As Molded | Material state immediately after molding |
TPU limitations
Drying is mandatory. Without a dehumidifier dryer and moisture below 0.03%, stable quality is unattainable. This is the most frequent source of defects when working with TPU.
Operating temperature. Standard TPU is rated up to +80 °C (short-term up to +110 °C). Above +130 °C, a GF-reinforced TPU LGF30 or alternatives (PEBA, TPC-ET) are required.
UV sensitivity. Without a stabilizer, it yellows and loses strength within 6–18 months of direct sunlight. For outdoor applications, use UV-stabilized grades or a protective coating.
Ester vs Ether. An incorrect base choice (ester in a wet/hot environment) leads to sudden failure within 2–6 months.
Price. TPU is 50–200% more expensive than SBR/EPDM. This is justified only where processability and the reuse of production scrap matter.
Adhesion to metal. Without chemical or mechanical adhesives, TPU bonds poorly to metal — parts with a metal insert require a primer or mechanical interlocking beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
Why is TPU better than conventional rubber?
TPU combines the characteristics of rubber (Shore 60A–75D, 400–700% elongation) with the processability of thermoplastics — injection molding, extrusion, reprocessing. Unlike vulcanized rubbers (SBR, NBR, EPDM), TPU requires no vulcanization (cycle time is reduced from hours to seconds), production scrap is recyclable, and the part has more precise geometry and a cleaner surface.
What is the equivalent of BASF Elastollan 1185A in Ukraine?
The direct functional equivalent of Elastollan 1185A is Exaflex® TPU 85A made by Material Wizard. It is an ester-TPU with 85 Shore A hardness, 35 MPa tensile strength, 600% elongation, and 100 kN/m tear strength. It is supplied from the plant in Derazhnia (Khmelnytskyi Oblast); the standard packaging is 25 kg bags or octabins. Material Wizard also supplies the original Elastollan 1185A to order.
Ester or Ether TPU for contact with hydraulic oil?
Definitely ester-TPU. The polyester base has 30–50% better resistance to oils and petroleum products than the polyether base. The standard choice for hydraulic hoses, fuel lines, and oil-contact seals is Exaflex® TPU 90A or Desmopan 9385A. Do NOT use ether-TPU in contact with hydraulics — within 3–6 months it loses up to 40% of its mechanical properties.
Can Desmopan 1092A be replaced with Exaflex 92A?
Technically, in part. Desmopan 1092A is an ether-TPU 92 Shore A, hydrolysis-resistant. Exaflex® TPU 92A is an ester-TPU 92 Shore A, not hydrolysis-resistant. Substitution is possible only for applications without prolonged contact with water/steam (for example, cable insulation in a dry environment — yes; steam sterilization of medical tubing — no). For a direct ether-TPU replacement, Material Wizard supplies imported Desmopan.
How long can TPU be stored?
Sealed in the factory packaging with a desiccant — 12 months at 20 °C, relative humidity up to 60%, and no direct sunlight. An opened bag should be used within 24 hours or re-dried before molding. Expired TPU (over 18 months) can be checked: the pellets should be transparent, without yellow spots and without clumping.
Can TPU regrind be added to virgin material?
Yes, up to 20–30% for most grades — without a significant drop in properties. Production scrap (sprues, uncontaminated reject parts) can be ground, dried, and added to virgin granulate. Re-granulated TPU has a 5–10% lower MFR (due to thermo-oxidation) — this should be accounted for in the process settings. For critical parts (medical, automotive), use only virgin material.
How to choose TPU for 3D printing?
TPU filaments for FDM/FFF printing are, as a standard, ester-TPU 85A–95A with an increased and stable MFR (30–50 g/10 min). Critical parameters: uniform filament diameter (±0,03 mm), moisture below 0.05% before printing, extrusion temperature 220–235 °C, bed temperature 30–50 °C. For rigid functional parts, filaments based on Exaflex® TPU 90A–92A; for flexible ones, 85A.
What certificates can Material Wizard provide for TPU?
For imported grades (Covestro Desmopan, BASF Elastollan, Lubrizol Pearlthane) — the manufacturer's original certificates: FDA for food contact, USP Class VI for medicine, RoHS, REACH, UL Yellow Card for electrical engineering, IMDS for the automotive industry. For our own Exaflex® TPU line — an internal technical data sheet plus ISO 9001 from the production facility in Derazhnia. Certification for a specific application (medical, food) is a separate process that we discuss individually.