Messing with some TPU filament now. This material is commonly used in modern car bushing, bumpers, gaskets, "grippy" things etc.
Drew up this fuel pump gasket (from memory so not accurate) to test it. Basically a wonderful, flexible gasket. If you can draw it up in any CAD program that will export an STL file you can create any gasket you want, in any thickness. Add a sealing lip/ridge, change the bolt hole sizes etc. If you have a flatbed document scanner you can scan a gasket, bring it into a CAD program, change it the way you want and print them out by the dozen if you want.
This material is oil, grease and solvent resistant, Shore 95A hardness. In my opinion the max temp would be about 200 F, some say 210 F. So that would preclude it from being used in most engine applications where it comes into contact with the engine block. But, suitable for valve cover grommets, air cleaner fittings, HVAC gaskets, body gaskets (door handles etc.), various small bumpers, bushings such as sway bar, sway bar struts, shocks, vibration dampening, sealing washers, small weather strip pieces, elastic cable holders etc.
Tired of flimsy, ill fitting door handle, side mirror, key hole gaskets? Make your own. Need a slightly larger pull through bumper (console door, glove box door etc) draw one up and print it. Want robust HVAC gaskets instead of that totally crappy foam that is sold ... print your own. From about .030" to inches thick. Want to embed a washer into a bumper? (hood/cowl bumper) design the part with a cavity for the washer ... stop the print a the right place, insert the washer ... continue the print ... and produce a proper bumper with the encased washer.
Yes I'm kind of excited about this stuff
