TECHNOLOGY | 3D PRINT COMPOUNDS
Right: 3D print filament production on a small scale extrusion machine at US-based Insight Polymers
yield properties close to that of an injection moulded equivalent. The company says that, typically, only amor-
phous resins or resins with low crystallinity have been considered suitable for use with extrusion 3D printing processes, such as ABS or PA. POM grades were unsuitable due to their high crystallinity and rapid rate of crystallisation. It says it has overcome this through more appropriate POM grade selec- tion and optimised printing conditions. Polyplastics says it is seeking a patent for the
Duracon POM 3D printing technology and is developing additional filament materials for use in 3D printing applications, including reinforced grades.
Improving colour German colorant and colour masterbatch maker Finke has developed its new Fibacomp-3D com- pound series specifically for 3D print production of parts direct from pellets. The new colour compounds combine easy processing with individual colouring and are available in small batch sizes or in small series. Fibacomp-3D overcomes the unsatisfactory
Below: Up to 40% of Insight Polymers
compounding throughput is targeted at additive
manufacturing materials
colour results that can result in pellet-based 3D printing using conventional masterbatch colouring. This is due to the extruders used in pellet-based additive manufacturing systems, which are de- signed for plasticising the material rather than mixing different components. Fibacomp-3D is a consistently dyed granulate that only needs to be plasticised in the extruder for processing, the company says.
Each compound is tailored to the planned
application, with the material, colour and additives configured in close cooperation with the processor. Additive options can include UV and thermostabi- lisers, antistatics or lubricants. The compounds can
be based on post-consumer recyclate (PCR) or virgin material. Use of compounded materials is said to make it possible to 3D print large objects, such as pieces of furniture or toys, without variation in colour.
Compound investments US-based polymer processor and custom com- pounder Insight Polymers & Compounding, recently purchased a ZSE-40 Maxx twin screw compounding extruder from Leistritz that it plans to use to expand its capability in production of compounds for additive manufacturing, as well as thermoplastics, elastomers, and reactive extrusion processes such as graft polymerisation and nanoparticle dispersion and exfoliation. The company already produces fully formulated systems and proprietary masterbatches on its 16mm and 27mm compounding extrusion lines; the new larger 40mm unit will allow for specialised services such as additive manufacturing compounds and conductive polymers, says Director of Operations, A J Pasquale. The company also has a small-scale filament maker and two 3D printers for testing and prototyping.
Insight compounds for additive manufacturing include grades for FDM, SLS and BAAM 3D printing processes. The latest addition to the range is a low-gloss PETG compound that offers 3D part makers the opportunity to manufacture parts where aesthetics are a primary consideration. The low gloss PETG formulation is designed for FDM processing and can be used to produce pellets or, more typically, filaments. The company says it plans to extend the low gloss development to PLA materials, according to Pasquale. The company is also involved with some applica- tions using PETG and carbon fibre and is examin- ing performance levels of 3D print compounds
20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2023
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: INSIGHT POLYMERS & COMPOUNDING
IMAGE: INSIGHT POLYMERS & COMPOUNDING
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