TissueDB/Materials/Thermoplastic Elastomers

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a class of filament that combines the melt-processability of a thermoplastic with the elasticity of rubber, supplied as spoolable filament for fused-deposition-modelling (FDM) 3D printers. Grades are identified by a hardness designation; the TPE 90A grade is the one recorded in medical-simulation builds, used where a printed part must flex. In medical simulation this lets a printed model include flexible joints or bendable regions within an otherwise rigid print. Brand, filament diameter and print-temperature range are not standardised across suppliers and must be confirmed at procurement against the printer in use.

Tissues

Tissue	Visual	Tactile	Simulator	Notes
Flexible rib joints (rib–sternum and rib–spine)			Brannan Chest Tube Simulator	TPE 90A. Source verbatim (Brannan 2021): "flexible joints were made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) 90A as well as PVA." The rib–sternum and rib–spine junctions are printed in TPE 90A with soluble PVA support on an Airwolf Axiom Dual Direct Drive, giving the rib cage flexion so trainees can position the model. The print uses 118 g of TPE 90A with 86 g of PVA support. Joint dimensions, print temperature, TPE filament brand and the number of joints are not specified in source.^[1]

References

↑ Brannan V, Dunne CL, Dubrowski A, Parsons MH. Development of a novel 3D-printed multifunctional thorax model simulator for the simulation-based training of tube thoracostomy. CJEM 2021;23:547–550. DOI 10.1007/s43678-021-00102-1. PMID 33783760.

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Keywords	thermoplastic elastomer, TPE, TPE 90A, Shore 90A, flexible filament, FDM, 3D printing, flexible joints, surgical simulation
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Authors	Arturopelayo
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Language	English (en)
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Created	July 3, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Last edit	August 5, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Cite as	Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Thermoplastic Elastomers". Appropedia. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
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[brannan2021-1] Brannan V, Dunne CL, Dubrowski A, Parsons MH. Development of a novel 3D-printed multifunctional thorax model simulator for the simulation-based training of tube thoracostomy. CJEM 2021;23:547–550. DOI 10.1007/s43678-021-00102-1. PMID 33783760.

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