Protective cases are commonly made of three materials: TPU, PLA, and SILICONE. So, how do you choose?
WHICH IS BETTER, TPU OR SILICONE CASE?
TPU excels in elasticity, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance, making it suitable for flexible, durable products. On the other hand, silicone boasts superior heat resistance, flexibility, and chemical inertness, making it a preferred choice for heat-resistant, soft-touch applications.
TPU or PLA?
TPU is generally a better choice than PLA due to its flexibility, durability, and ability to absorb impacts. PLA, while rigid and easy to print, is brittle and lacks the necessary elasticity for a protective phone & handheld game console case. TPU offers superior protection against drops and impacts, making it ideal for safeguarding your phone & handheld game console.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Advantages:
- Flexible and Elastic: TPU's flexibility allows it to bend and flex, absorbing impacts and protecting the phone & handheld game console from drops and bumps.
- Durable and Abrasion-Resistant: TPU is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it a long-lasting material for phone & handheld game console cases.
- Good Layer Adhesion: TPU typically adheres well to itself during printing, contributing to a strong and robust case.
- Shock Absorption: TPU effectively absorbs shocks and impacts, minimizing the risk of damage to the phone & handheld game console.
- Wide Range of Hardness: TPU comes in various Shore hardness ratings, allowing for customization of flexibility and stiffness.
Disadvantages:
- Can be Prone to Dust and Stains: TPU can attract dust and stains, requiring more frequent cleaning.
- Potential for Yellowing: Clear TPU cases can turn yellow over time due to UV exposure, though this can be mitigated by using UV-resistant TPU or by choosing a different color.
- May require specific settings: TPU can be tricky to print, requiring adjustments to temperature and retraction settings.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Advantages:
- Easy to Print: PLA is a popular choice for beginners due to its ease of printing.
- Rigid: PLA provides a rigid structure, which can be useful for certain parts of a phone & handheld game console case, like the backplate.
Disadvantages:
- Brittle: PLA is prone to breaking and cracking under stress, making it unsuitable for a phone & handheld game console case that needs to absorb impacts.
- Not Flexible: PLA lacks the flexibility needed to protect against drops and impacts.
- Can become brittle over time: Exposure to UV light and other environmental factors can make PLA more brittle.
Combining TPU and PLA
- Some users have experimented with printing phone & handheld game console cases using a combination of TPU and PLA. For example, the first few layers can be printed with PLA for rigidity, and then TPU can be used for the flexible parts of the case.
- Hybrid designs can offer the benefits of both materials, but require careful design and printer setup.
- One popular method is to print a TPU hinge with PLA interface layers, allowing for a functional hinge and closing mechanism in a single print.
In conclusion: While PLA can be used in combination with TPU for certain aspects of a phone & handheld game console case, TPU is the superior choice for overall protection due to its flexibility and durability. It is recommended to choose a TPU with the desired hardness and print settings for optimal results.
