TPU Film Buying Guide
TPU film is a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane sheet supplied in roll form for applications that may require elasticity, abrasion resistance, waterproof or airtight sealing, lamination, welding, or clear protective performance. This guide explains how to choose the right TPU chemistry, thickness, width, hardness and processing route before placing a production order.
TPU film is a thin, flexible film made from thermoplastic polyurethane, an elastomer that combines rubber-like flexibility with thermoplastic processing. Depending on its formulation, TPU film can be clear or colored, soft or relatively firm, breathable or barrier-oriented, and designed for welding, lamination, bonding or surface protection.
For buyers, “TPU film” is not one universal grade. Performance changes with the polymer chemistry, hardness, thickness, additives, surface finish and production method. The correct purchasing specification therefore begins with the end use, not simply with a request for “transparent TPU film.”
The chemistry terms used in TPU purchasing describe different parts of the polymer system. Polyether and polyester commonly refer to the polyol family; aliphatic and aromatic refer to the isocyanate family. They are not always mutually exclusive categories, so request the supplier's exact grade description when performance matters.
Polyether TPU is commonly considered when the finished product faces repeated moisture, water contact, hydrolysis risk or low-temperature flexing. Typical project directions include hydration bladders, waterproof bags, inflatable air chambers, outdoor equipment and selected medical or hygienic constructions.
Ask about: hydrolysis testing, cold-flex behavior, weldability, film clarity and the real service environment.
Polyester TPU is frequently evaluated where abrasion resistance, mechanical strength, oil contact or firm lamination performance is important. It can be suitable for protective layers, footwear components, industrial membranes and technical textile lamination.
Ask about: oil and chemical exposure, abrasion test method, tensile/tear data and moisture conditions.
Aliphatic TPU grades are often chosen for applications where long-term appearance, light stability and optical clarity are priorities, including clear protection and selected automotive or outdoor uses. Exact UV and yellowing performance should be confirmed with the grade-specific test data.
Aromatic TPU can be a practical option for many industrial and textile applications when the film is not selected primarily for long-term exterior optical clarity. It is widely used across flexible film and bonding programs, but outdoor color stability should be checked before specification.
Thickness influences flexibility, puncture resistance, weight, transparency, heat response and handling. The correct gauge depends on the finished product and should be validated with the actual lamination, welding or forming process.
| TPU Film Thickness | Approx. mil | Common Buying Direction | What to Verify Before Ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.02–0.05 mm | 0.8–2 mil | Thin textile lamination, breathable membrane structures, adhesive or lightweight barrier layers | Handling stability, pinholes, MVTR/barrier target, lamination temperature, winding tension |
| 0.05–0.15 mm | 2–6 mil | Apparel, bags, flexible protection, light bladders, soft laminates and transfer-related structures | Softness, stretch recovery, weld width, transparency, tear performance |
| 0.15–0.30 mm | 6–12 mil | Clear windows, air chambers, protective layers, reinforced textile composites and OEM components | Crease behavior, puncture resistance, sealing parameters, surface finish, roll flatness |
| 0.30–1.00 mm | 12–39 mil | Heavy-gauge flexible parts, industrial sealing, demanding membranes and abrasion-exposed components | Forming/welding heat, stiffness, weight, cooling time, dimensional tolerance |
DERFLEX TPU film programs can be discussed up to approximately 2.1 m wide depending on grade, thickness and production arrangement. Choose a width that reduces trim waste while remaining compatible with your laminator, cutter or welding table.
Roll length should be confirmed together with thickness, core, winding tension and packaging. A thicker or softer film may require a different roll length than a thin lamination film to maintain handling stability.
Do not buy by nominal thickness alone. Ask for the permitted thickness tolerance, width tolerance, roll-to-roll consistency and the measurement method used by the supplier.
Two films at the same thickness can behave very differently if their Shore hardness, surface finish or formulation changes. For OEM products, these parameters can affect folding, stretch, clarity, sealing and the perceived feel of the finished product.
Useful where drape, touch, conformability or repeated folding is important. Softer grades may require more attention to blocking, winding and dimensional handling.
A common working range for flexible technical products that need a balance of softness, recovery, processing stability and mechanical performance.
Considered where a firmer hand, dimensional stability or higher resistance to deformation is useful. Confirm that the grade still meets the required low-temperature and welding behavior.
| Specification | Available Direction | Buyer Question |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, translucent, tinted or colored | Is optical clarity functional, cosmetic, or not required? |
| Surface | Glossy, matte, frosted, textured or project-specific | Will the surface be laminated, printed, bonded, welded or directly exposed? |
| Hardness | Typical DERFLEX direction 70A–95A | Does the finished product need softness, recovery or dimensional firmness? |
| Functional additives | UV, antimicrobial, flame-retardant, hydrolysis-resistant or other project directions may be discussed | Which property is required, and which test standard will be used? |
Yes, many TPU film grades are compatible with thermoplastic fabrication methods, but the correct processing window depends on chemistry, thickness, hardness, additives, substrate and equipment. Confirm the exact grade before production.
Common for selected TPU films and TPU-coated textiles when strong sealed seams are required.
Useful for fabricated bags, inflatable products and technical textile assemblies when grade and seam geometry are compatible.
Applied to film-to-film or film-to-textile structures depending on melting/softening behavior and bonding target.
TPU film can be combined with woven, knitted or nonwoven substrates to create waterproof, breathable or protective composites.
Rolls can be slit, cut or converted for downstream assembly; winding and dimensional stability should match the process.
TPU film is selected across industries because its properties can be tuned for very different product requirements. The end-use environment determines which grade is appropriate.
For dry bags, backpacks, clear windows, hydration systems and flexible outdoor components.
For bladders, cushions, air chambers, inflatable structures and flexible containment systems.
As a functional film layer for waterproof, breathable, elastic or protective textile composites.
Selected grades may be used in cuffs, cushions, covers, barrier layers and skin-adjacent components.
Clear or engineered TPU films are used in paint protection and other flexible protective structures.
TPU film can support reinforcement, decorative transfer, labels and flexible bonding constructions.
No single film is the correct choice for every project. Use the comparison below as a screening tool, then confirm the final choice with grade-specific samples and test data.
| Buying Factor | TPU Film | PVC Film | PE Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elastic recovery | Typically strong; grade-dependent | Flexible, but recovery depends on formulation/plasticizer system | Generally lower for commodity grades |
| Abrasion / puncture direction | Often selected for demanding flexible protection | Good for many curtains, covers and flexible sheet uses | Suitable for many packaging and lower-demand uses |
| Cold flexibility | Selected grades can remain flexible at low temperatures | Depends strongly on formulation | Varies by PE grade |
| Welding / fabrication | RF/HF, hot air or heat bonding depending on grade | Widely used for RF/HF and hot-air fabrication | Heat sealing is common; RF suitability differs |
| Clear premium applications | Strong option when elasticity and abrasion resistance are needed | Practical and cost-effective for many clear sheet uses | Common where optical and elastic requirements are less demanding |
| PVC-free requirement | Yes, by material family | No | Yes |
| Cost direction | Usually higher than commodity PE/PVC film | Often economical for general flexible sheet | Often the lowest-cost direction for basic film uses |
A useful RFQ should describe the finished product and the required test conditions. This reduces sample rounds and makes quotations easier to compare.
DERFLEX supports TPU film and TPU technical textile projects with application-based discussion of material chemistry, thickness, hardness, width, surface and processing method.
For OEM buyers, converters and distributors, this approach is intended to make sample evaluation and specification confirmation more practical before bulk production.
Send Your TPU Film RFQSupport for TPU film, TPU coated fabric and TPU laminated fabric helps buyers evaluate the complete material system.
Thickness, width, hardness, surface, color and functional directions can be discussed against the application.
Welding, lamination, bonding and downstream conversion requirements are considered before grade confirmation.
Buyers can use samples to verify real processing and end-product performance before moving to repeat supply.
TPU film is made from thermoplastic polyurethane, a segmented polymer whose properties can be tuned through its polyol, isocyanate, hardness, additives and processing. Buyers commonly encounter polyether and polyester TPU film, plus aliphatic or aromatic grade descriptions.
Many non-porous TPU films are used as water-barrier layers and can be welded into waterproof structures. However, some TPU films are intentionally breathable, so waterproofness, hydrostatic pressure and seam performance should be verified for the specific grade and construction.
Polyether TPU is commonly evaluated for repeated moisture and hydrolysis exposure, while polyester TPU is often selected for abrasion, mechanical strength and oil-resistance directions. The actual choice should be based on the service environment and grade-specific test data.
There is no universal thickness. Thin films may suit textile lamination or breathable structures, medium gauges may suit bags and flexible protection, while thicker gauges may suit industrial sealing or heavy-duty components. Start from the finished product, then test the selected gauge on the actual process.
Many TPU grades are receptive to RF/HF welding and may also be processed by hot-air welding or heat bonding. Compatibility depends on chemistry, thickness, additives and the substrate, so production settings should be established through trials.
TPU film is a type of polyurethane film, specifically thermoplastic polyurethane. The broader term “polyurethane film” can also be used for other polyurethane systems, so a technical purchase order should identify TPU chemistry and the exact grade rather than rely on the general PU label.
Send DERFLEX your end use, target thickness, width, hardness, surface, color, processing method, service environment and test requirements. The quotation can then be built around a more relevant TPU film direction rather than a generic roll specification.