POM vs TPU

Compare POM and TPU filaments side-by-side so you can pick the right one for your 3D printing project.

POM vs TPU: POM is known for very low friction, while TPU is known for excellent layer adhesion. TPU is easier to print; POM is less moisture-sensitive; POM prints at higher nozzle temperatures (220-260°C vs 200-240°C). Choose POM for very low friction, or TPU for excellent layer adhesion.

Key differences at a glance

Property
POM
TPU
Nozzle temp
220-260°C
200-240°C
Bed temp
90-120°C
30-60°C
Enclosure needed
Required
No
Ease of printing
Difficult
Easy
Moisture sensitivity
low
high

POM

F

Acetal / Delrin / Polyoxymethylene

Very low friction, stiff, easy to machine (in CNC contexts)

TPU

S

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Excellent layer adhesion; extremely impact resistant; highly durable

Detailed Comparison

Property
POM
TPU
Tier Rating
Tier F
Tier S
Family
POM
Flexible
Nozzle Temp
220-260°C
200-240°C
Bed Temp
90-120°C
30-60°C
Enclosure
required
not needed
Cooling
Low cooling
Moderate cooling
Moisture Sensitivity
low
high

Green marks the generally easier or more forgiving option in that row, based on tier, enclosure needs, and moisture sensitivity. It is not always the better choice for a specific job, so weigh it against what your project actually needs.

Strengths Comparison

POM Strengths

  • Very low friction, stiff, easy to machine (in CNC contexts)
  • Low friction, wear parts, gears, bushings

TPU Strengths

  • Excellent layer adhesion; extremely impact resistant; highly durable
  • Great for combat robots, tactical/rough-use parts
  • Rubber-like parts (gaskets, grips, bumpers, wheels)

Considerations

POM Caveats

  • Near-zero bed adhesion; requires mechanical anchoring to bed surface
  • Layer splitting; needs heated enclosure and very slow printing
  • Heat decomposition can release formaldehyde (high hazard)
  • Often outclassed by nylon for printable low-friction parts

TPU Caveats

  • Slow printing; retraction can cause jams (especially in Bowden setups)
  • Stringing is common
  • Very moisture sensitive; wet TPU prints poorly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between POM and TPU?
POM prints at 220-260°C nozzle / 90-120°C bed (Required enclosure, low moisture sensitivity). TPU prints at 200-240°C nozzle / 30-60°C bed (No enclosure, high moisture sensitivity).
Is POM or TPU stronger?
Our dataset does not include comparable tensile strength values for both. Qualitatively, POM is suited to very low friction, while TPU is suited to excellent layer adhesion.
Which prints at a higher temperature, POM or TPU?
POM prints at a higher temperature (220-260°C nozzle vs 200-240°C for TPU).
Is POM or TPU better for beginners?
TPU is better for beginners: enclosure is no and moisture sensitivity is high, vs required enclosure and low moisture for POM.
Should I use POM or TPU for flexible parts?
For flexible parts, TPU is usually the better fit (Excellent layer adhesion). Choose POM instead when very low friction.

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