

ColorFabb is a Netherlands-based company dedicated to the development and production of FDM/FFF 3D printing filaments. The company is constantly developing and excels in the production of innovative materials designed for specific applications.
VarioShore TPU is a flexible filament for FDM/FFF 3D printers, consisting of 92A TPU that is characterised by its variable shore hardness, weight and density.
TPU, thermoplastic polyurethane, is a flexible material with some elasticity. It offers good chemical resistance, UV resistance and smooth surfaces. In the case of VarioShore, the TPU used is Shore 92A, which determines its degree of hardness.
In addition to the TPU, VarioShore contains a foaming agent (the same technology was used in the LW-PLA filament) that is distributed throughout the filament, activated at high temperatures and releases a gas that causes the filament to acquire a foamy texture.
The degree of foaminess and, consequently, the density of the material and its Shore hardness, can be modified depending on the printing speed, the layer height and the printing flow. Thus, by modifying these parameters, the user can achieve different densities in the same 3D printed part with this material.
The colour of the part also varies according to these parameters, obtaining a lighter colour in areas with a higher degree of foaming and a more intense tone in areas with less foam.
Thus, VarioShore TPU is characterised by:
If you work at a 3D printing temperature between 200 - 250 °C, the material will expand 1.4 - 1.6 times its original volume, which is equivalent to printing at low flow rates of around 60 - 70 % to produce the foam. Printing at temperatures between 190 - 200°C will produce harder parts without foam.
With Varioshore TPU it is possible to produce parts with low density and with areas of varying hardness in the same part while maintaining a soft touch. This innovative filament for FDM/FFF 3D printers from ColorFabb is suitable for:
Colorfabb's VarioShore TPU is without doubt an innovative material, ideal for users who wish to produce parts with a foam finish or with variations in density and hardness without sacrificing the properties of TPU.
General information |
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Material | TPU/TPE |
Format | 50 g / 700 g |
Density | (ASTM D-792) 1.22 g/cm³ |
Filament diameter | 1.75 / 2.85 mm |
Filament tolerance | ± 0.1 mm |
Filament length | (Ø 1.75 mm - 0.75 Kg) 238.5 m / (Ø 1.75 mm - 0.05 Kg) ± 17 m / (Ø 2.85 mm - 0.7 Kg) ± 89.9 m / (Ø 2.85 mm - 0.05 Kg) ± 6.4 m |
Printing properties |
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Printing temperature | 190 - 250 ºC |
Print bed temperature | 20 - 40 ºC |
Chamber temperature | - |
Cooling fan | - |
Recommended printing speed | 20 - 30 mm/s |
Mechanical properties |
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Elongation at break | (ASTM D-412) 490 % |
Tensile strength | (ASTM D-412) 58.6 MPa |
Tensile modulus | - MPa |
Flexural strength | - MPa |
Flexural modulus | - MPa |
Surface hardness | (ASTM D-2240) Shore 92A |
Thermal properties |
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Softening temperature | - ºC |
Specific properties |
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Transparency | - |
Other |
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HS Code | 3916.9 |
Spool diameter (outer) | - mm |
Spool diameter (inner hole) | - mm |
Spool width | - mm |
ColorFabb recommends a 3D printing temperature between 190 - 250 ºC, a printing speed of 20 - 30 mm/s and a bed temperature between 20 - 40 ºC. If foamy parts are desired, the layer fan should be deactivated.
In case of overhangs it is advisable to activate the fan at 50 - 100 %.
Regarding the configuration of the material profile, it is recommended to use the configuration used with standard TPU materials, making sure that the distance between nozzle and printing base is not too small, especially if foam layers are to be generated in order not to obstruct the nozzle.
It is recommended to use a specific adhesive on the printing surface such as Magigoo Flex so that the first layer of filament adheres properly.