3D Print Lighter, Stronger, Springier Parts With Nylon-Based, Foaming Rebound PEBA Air

Dial in the perfect bounce and even shed up to half of your print’s weight without changing hardware. A new filament from California-based Siraya Tech makes it possible to adjust how soft or firm your 3D printed parts should be, just by changing your printer’s temperature.

Rebound PEBA Air ($69.99/0.8kg), however, is not just another active foaming filament, the company says; it features high-energy rebound, making it ideal for everything from custom shoe midsoles to ultra-light drone parts that are still tough enough to take a beating.

Compared to TPU, PEBA (polyether block amide) is lighter, bouncier, and recovers its shape faster when bent or stretched. It’s often used in high-performance applications like running shoe midsoles, sports gear, and parts where rebound speed, weight savings, and chemical resistance are important.

Last month, Siraya Tech launched its Rebound PEBA 95A, and now, we have a foaming version that enables you to cut down on weight.

Unlike conventional filaments, Rebound PEBA Air responds to print temperature. Run it cooler and the material firms up. Crank up the heat, and it softens, expands, and even sheds weight — in some cases up to 50% lighter than a solid print. Think midsoles that can be customized for bounce, or drone landing gear that stays strong without dragging extra grams through the air.

Underneath the innovation is a mix of nylon (PA) and soft TPE blocks, giving it both mechanical strength and elasticity, the company says. That means the parts aren’t just light and squishy; they’re also durable, chemical-resistant, and able to take a beating from fatigue and impact. The foaming process even leaves prints with a soft-touch matte finish, an aesthetic upgrade over the glossy, sometimes plasticky look of standard filaments.

For designers, engineers, and makers, the applications could be broad:

• Sports gear like custom orthotics or lightweight padding
• Robotics and drones that need shock-absorbing bumpers
• Automotive parts such as vibration dampeners
• Wearables and ergonomic enclosures

This isn’t Siraya Tech’s first experiment with foaming filaments. Its earlier TPU Air introduced the idea of lightweight flexible printing, but PEBA Air is the evolution — bringing higher rebound, stronger structural integrity, and a wider performance envelope.

And the best part? It works on most FDM printers, no exotic hardware required.