eSUN eFlex TPU-87A Clear Flexible TPU Filament 1 kg
eSUN eFlex TPU-87A Clear Flexible TPU Filament 1 kg is a clear soft TPU filament for FDM/FFF 3D printing with Shore 87A hardness. It belongs to the eSUN eFlex line and is designed for flexible, resilient, shock-absorbing and impact-resistant parts. Compared with TPU-95A, it is softer and more elastic, making it a better choice for parts that require noticeable flexibility, soft touch and impact absorption.
Clear TPU-87A is suitable for protective cases, cushioning inserts, dampers, soft pads, sporting accessories, wearable elements, flexible technical parts, prototypes, electronics parts, automotive elements, shoe inserts and products that require a combination of softness, strength and relative transparency. With FDM/FFF printing, the material usually produces a translucent flexible effect rather than glass-like transparency. Final clarity depends on wall thickness, infill, temperature, speed, wall count and drying quality.
✅ Key advantages
- Shore 87A softness: noticeably softer and more flexible than TPU-95A.
- Flexibility and resilience: parts can bend, compress and return to shape.
- Impact resistance: suitable for cushioning components, protective cases and dampers.
- Clear effect: allows translucent flexible parts with a soft visual appearance.
- High elongation at break: suitable for parts exposed to bending, stretching and compression.
- Strength and durability: eFlex TPU-87A is intended for flexible functional parts.
- Suitable for wearable products: can be used for wristbands, soft pads, sporting accessories and protective elements.
- FDM/FFF compatibility: used on 1.75 mm filament 3D printers with direct feeding.
📐 Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | eSUN |
| Line | eFlex |
| Material | TPU-87A / eFlex TPU-87A |
| Material type | Soft clear flexible TPU filament |
| Hardness | Shore 87A |
| Color | Clear / Natural / Transparent |
| Diameter | 1.75 mm |
| Net weight | 1 kg |
| Spool | Spool type may depend on supply: cardboard spool or plastic spool |
| Print technology | FDM / FFF |
| Main use | Flexible cases, cushioning parts, dampers, sporting accessories, wearable products, soft pads, technical prototypes |
📊 Physical and mechanical properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density according to TDS | 1.12 g/cm³ |
| Tensile strength | 52 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 500% |
| Melt flow index | N/A |
| Flexural strength | N/A |
| Flexural modulus | N/A |
| IZOD impact strength | N/A |
| Heat deflection temperature | N/A |
| Material behavior | Flexible, soft, strong, impact-resistant, resilient |
⚙️ Recommended Printing Parameters
| Parameter | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Drying before printing | 55 ℃ for more than 4 hours |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–250 ℃ |
| Bed temperature | 45–60 ℃ |
| Printing speed | 20–50 mm/s |
| Recommended starting speed | 20–40 mm/s for stable feeding |
| Fan speed | 100% |
| Recommended extruder | Direct Drive / short filament path |
| Bowden / remote extruder | Not recommended for eFlex TPU-87A |
| Retraction | Minimal, tune by testing |
| Build surface | PEI, textured PEI sheet, glass with adhesive or another TPU-compatible surface |
🔧 eFlex TPU-87A printing recommendations
- Dry the filament at 55 ℃ for more than 4 hours before printing.
- Use a Direct Drive extruder or the shortest possible filament path.
- Bowden / remote extruder is not recommended because soft TPU-87A can compress and bend inside a long feeding path.
- Print slowly: for first tests, starting at 20–30 mm/s is recommended.
- Reduce retraction to avoid stretching and compression of the filament in the feeding path.
- Do not overtighten the extruder gear to avoid deforming the soft filament.
- Avoid sharp bends between the spool and extruder.
- For cleaner translucency, use dry material, stable temperature and smooth feeding.
- After long print jobs, cleaning filament can be used to clean the nozzle.
- If bubbles, stringing, haze or unstable extrusion appear, dry the material again.
🧩 Best applications
- 📱 Flexible clear and translucent cases for phones, cameras and electronics.
- 🛡️ Protective pads, cushioning inserts and soft dampers.
- 🏃 Sports wristbands, knee pads, soft equipment elements and accessories.
- 👟 Shoe elements, soft inserts, insoles and flexible cushioning parts.
- 🔩 Flexible technical parts, gaskets, seals and vibration-isolating elements.
- 🚗 Automotive flexible inserts, protective elements and soft technical parts.
- ⚡ Electronics parts, protective housings, soft holders and cushioning elements.
- 🧪 Prototypes for testing flexibility, softness, fit and shock absorption.
✅ 3D printer compatibility
eSUN eFlex TPU-87A is compatible with FDM/FFF 3D printers using 1.75 mm filament and supporting a 220–250 ℃ nozzle temperature range. It can be printed on Bambu Lab, Creality, Prusa, Anycubic, Elegoo, Sovol, QIDI, Flashforge and other 3D printers when flexible filament feeding is properly tuned.
For eFlex TPU-87A, Direct Drive extruders are preferred. Bowden or remote extruder systems are not recommended because soft Shore 87A filament is harder to push through a long tube. Stable printing requires a short filament path, low speed, minimal retraction and dry material.
📦 Storage and preparation
- Store the filament in a dry place, preferably in a sealed bag or container with desiccant.
- After opening, do not leave the spool exposed in a humid room for a long time.
- Drying at 55 ℃ for more than 4 hours before printing is recommended.
- For long print jobs, using a filament dry box or eBOX is recommended.
- Wet TPU may cause bubbles, popping, excessive stringing, haze and unstable extrusion.
📄 File Download: technical files and certificates
- Parameters for Bambu Lab & Creality — starting print settings for popular 3D printers.
- TDS — technical data sheet.
- MSDS/SDS — material safety data sheet.
- RoHS — restricted substances report.
- REACH — SVHC report.
🛡️ Safety and certification
eFlex TPU-87A should be printed in a well-ventilated area. The material can burn when exposed to ignition sources, so it should be stored away from open flames, sparks, hot surfaces and strong oxidizing agents. During mechanical processing of printed parts, safety glasses and a mask are recommended if dust is generated.
According to official eSUN documentation, MSDS/SDS, TDS, RoHS and REACH files are available for eFlex. Certificates and reports confirm tested samples, but they are not a universal guarantee for every finished part, especially if the part is used in skin-contact, children’s products, food-contact applications or special technical conditions.
❓ FAQ
Yes. TPU-87A is softer and more flexible than TPU-95A. It is better suited for parts requiring stronger elasticity, softness and cushioning. The material is Clear / Transparent, but FDM/FFF printed parts usually become translucent rather than glass-clear. Final clarity depends on wall thickness, infill, temperature, speed and drying. It is not recommended. eFlex TPU-87A prints better with Direct Drive or a short filament path because soft TPU 87A is harder to feed reliably through a long Bowden tube. Yes. Drying at 55 ℃ for more than 4 hours before printing is recommended. Dry material prints more consistently and gives a cleaner surface. It is suitable for flexible cases, dampers, cushioning inserts, sporting accessories, soft pads, shoe elements, gaskets, protective parts and elastic technical prototypes. eFlex TPU-87A is a soft clear TPU with fixed Shore 87A hardness. TPU-LW is a lightweight foamable TPU whose density and softness vary depending on foaming settings.Is TPU-87A softer than TPU-95A?
Is eSUN eFlex TPU-87A fully transparent?
Can eFlex TPU-87A be printed on a Bowden printer?
Does TPU-87A need drying?
What is clear TPU-87A best for?
How is eFlex TPU-87A different from TPU-LW?
🚀 Why buy
eSUN eFlex TPU-87A Clear Flexible TPU Filament 1 kg is a strong choice for printing soft, clear, flexible and impact-resistant parts. It is suitable for protective cases, dampers, cushioning inserts, sporting accessories, wearable products, soft pads, gaskets, shoe elements and technical prototypes where standard TPU-95A may be too stiff.