ELASTO 85 3NTR

The Elasto filament is a soft TPU material available in 5 color options, with Shore hardness of 85A.

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a linear elastomeric polymer from the family of polyurethanes, made up of alternating soft and hard segments, which is what gives it its adaptability. TPU can be engineered to be very soft, resembling rubber, or quite rigid, more like plastic, depending on the intended application. TPU is very resistant to abrasion, chemicals, UV rays and low temperatures, which makes it incredibly useful in environments where those qualities are absolutely indispensable, for example in the automotive industry, industrial manufacturing, footwear and fabrics production or wires and cables, where parts need to be flexible in harsh conditions every day all day long.

Image 1: Parts 3D printed with the 3NTR Elasto filament. Source: 3NTR.

The TPU Elasto 85 filament was developed by 3NTR, an Italian manufacturer of filaments and industrial 3D printers. One of the distinguishing features of the TPU Elasto 85 filament is its capability to absorb vibration. In industrial and manufacturing environments, it is crucial to control vibration for many reasons. Prolonged vibration not only generates noise, putting at risk the health of the employees, but also decreases product quality and increases the wear and tear of the machinery. Vibration can also cause equipment to move, thus creating a safety risk. The 3NTR TPU Elasto 85 filament can be used to manufacture vibration dampening parts to diminish the safety and quality risks in manufacturing.

Another quality of the 3NTR TPU Elasto 85 filament is that it is scratch resistant. Abrasion occurs when a material is slowly worn down or rubbed away by means of friction. This can lead not only to the aesthetic degradation of an object but also to its change of shape, which could have serious ramifications in industrial production settings. A great example of the force of abrasion would be how standard nozzles are worn away by abrasive 3D printing materials. The 3NTR TPU Elasto 85 filament is resistant to abrasion, which means it can be used to manufacture parts capable of withstanding constant friction, scratching and rubbing without losing their shape and aesthetic properties.

Thanks to its high adaptability, excellent mechanical properties and resistance, the 3NTR TPU Elasto 85 filament can be used in a wide range of applications all across industries. Abrasion and vibration resistant Industrial machinery parts or even flexible and durable footwear and textiles can be manufactured in a fast, affordable and easily repeatable way thanks to additive manufacturing technologies.