TPU, commonly known as thermoplastic polyurethane, is a type of printing string or filament for 3D printers whose main characteristic is high flexibility and elasticity. Unlike conventional rigid materials such as PLA or PETG, TPU products behave much like rubber - they can be bent, stretched and squeezed without breaking, and then returned to their original shape. Because of these properties, TPU is used to print functional parts that require flexibility or impact resistance. Typical examples are protective covers for mobile phones, flexible seals, watch straps, shock absorbers to reduce vibration or flexible parts for models. When printing, TPU requires specific printer settings, especially lower print speeds, to ensure that the soft material moves properly through the feeding mechanism and does not jam. TPU filaments vary in their degree of hardness, which is indicated on a "Shore" scale. A lower number, such as 85A, indicates a very soft and flexible material, while a higher value such as 98A represents a stiffer option that is still flexible but puts up more resistance when bending.