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TECHNOLOGY | 3D PRINT COMPOUNDS


Right: Evonik and HP have developed a 3D-printable thermoplastic elastomer for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion


technology


on a thermoplastic amide (TPA). The two companies have a long-standing industry partnership and this new elastomer is optimised for the Multi Jet Fusion technology. The new TPA powder is


a flexible, lightweight-con- struction material with a low density of 1.01 g/cm³ and a Shore A hardness of 91. The high-performance powder is intended for production of functional high-tech 3D plastic parts — prototypes as well as series products — that require high extensibility and energy return; Evonik cites sports equipment and automotive components as prime examples. Underlining its commitment to additive manu- facturing, Evonik recently opened a new technol- ogy centre for 3D printing in Austin, Texas, US. The company says the site will play a key role within its global innovation network in the development of ready-to-use materials for powder bed fusion based on the Structured Polymers technology it acquired in 2019. The new Centre for Structured Polymers


Technology comprises an application technology laboratory with 3D printers and a processing area, a research and development laboratory, produc- tion rooms and associated office areas, as well as meeting rooms.


IMAGE: EVONIK


The Structured Polymers technology is based on polymer granulate that is processed into fine powder material in various steps. Polymer powders can be produced in controlled particle sizes with a diameter range of 0.1-400 microns. The first


ready-to-use powder materials


— two thermoplastic elastomers based on copoly- esters — were introduced to the market in late- 2019. Both products exhibit high elasticity and flexibility combined with good resilience, remain tough and flexible after printing, and are said to yield good surface quality. In a separate move, Evonik has acquired a minority stake in Chinese company UnionTech through its Venture Capital unit. The Shanghai- based company is active in the field of stereo- lithography (SLS) 3D printing. In the SLS process the part is “pulled” from a bath of light-curing liquid resin with a laser or display light source curing the photopolymer layer-by-layer to create a three-dimensional product. Using this method, it is possible to produce complex workpieces with a much smoother structure than with other 3D print processes. Typical markets include automotive and aircraft manufacturers as well as industrial parts or special footwear products.


Maintaining filament consistency


The Liad Smart ColorSave-Micro from Ampacet is a gravimetric colour and additive feeder designed to meet the needs of companies producing filaments for the 3D printing industry. The company says filament


producers face a common challenge in maintaining consistent colour quality during extrusion, which can


lead to high scrap rates or customer complaints. This can be due to use of short screws without mixing elements or not using micro pellets or quick melt colour masterbatches, but also due to inaccurate hand mixing. According to the company, the Liad Smart ColorSave-Micro gravimet- ric feeder provides precise feeding of


Left: The filament format is one of the most popular for 3D print materials but production raises specific challenges dosing for formulators and producers, according to Ampacet


52 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2021


colour masterbatches to eliminate the inaccuracies of hand-mixing resin and colour or additive masterbatches. In addition, it avoids the possibility of segregation of colour and virgin resin during the feeding process. The feeder uses a single vibrational-


protected inner channel to eliminate exterior vibration and consistently deliver an accurate dose. It operates in a continuous extrusion mode and ensures a consistent let-down ratio of the colourant relative to the extruder throughput rate. The ColorSave-Micro can accurate- ly dispense materials — including flowable, non-dusty powders or granules and micro pellets — at rates as low as 0.1%. � www.ampacet.com


www.compoundingworld.com





IMAGE: AMPACET


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