Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

Yes, soft TPU can be injection molded, and it's a common practice in the industry for producing flexible, rubber-like parts such as grips, seals, phone cases, overmolded components, and wear-resistant items.TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a versatile thermoplastic elastomer available in a wide range of hardness levels, from very soft grades around 60 Shore A (or even lower) up to harder grades in the Shore D range. Softer TPU grades (e.g., 60A–85A) behave more like rubber, offering excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and elasticity, while still being processable via standard injection molding techniques.

Key points about molding soft TPU:

1.It is fully compatible with injection molding on reciprocating screw machines.

2.Softer grades require careful process control: proper drying (TPU is hygroscopic—moisture must be below ~0.02–0.03% to avoid defects like brittleness), adjusted temperatures (typically lower for softer grades, e.g., 315–390°F / 155–200°C zones), good venting, draft angles (3–5°), and often larger ejector pins or air assist for demolding due to higher friction and flexibility.

3.Challenges with very soft TPU include sticking to molds, potential clumping if overheated, and needing textured surfaces or release aids for easier ejection.

4.It's frequently used in overmolding (e.g., soft TPU over a rigid substrate like ABS or nylon for soft-touch features).

Regarding Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd. (aluprototype.com), they offer custom injection molding services for plastic prototypes and on-demand production parts, including thermoplastics, elastomers, and specifically mention capabilities for soft materials like TPE/TPU in overmolding processes (e.g., injecting soft TPU over a substrate for two-material parts).Their services cover a broad range from rapid prototyping (CNC, 3D printing, vacuum casting) to full injection molding (including complex molds), so they are well-equipped to handle TPU projects, including softer grades for flexible components.