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Material Durability Guide
Compare our filaments side by side — heat, bend, drop, and best-use cases — so you pick the right material for your project.
PLA
$0.02–0.05/g
Best For
DecorFigurinesDisplay modelsIndoor organizers
Pros
- + Easy to print
- + Great detail
- + Food-safe variants exist
- + Low warping
Cons
- − Low heat resistance (~60°C)
- − Brittle
- − Not outdoor-durable
TPU
$0.06–0.12/g
Best For
Phone casesGasketsTiresGripsBumpers
Pros
- + Flexible / rubber-like
- + Impact resistant
- + Grippy surface
- + Durable
Cons
- − Slow to print
- − Hard to sand
- − Limited detail
- − Higher cost
Stress Test Comparison
| Test | PLA | TPU |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Up to ~60°C | Up to ~80°C |
| Bend / Flex | Brittle — snaps under stress | Highly flexible — bends without breaking |
| Drop / Impact | Moderate — can crack on hard impact | Excellent — absorbs impact |
💡 Not sure which to pick?
For decorative indoor prints, PLA is perfect. For anything that needs to flex or absorb impact, choose TPU. You can always add notes in your order and we'll recommend the best fit.
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