3D PRINTING | MATERIALS
Majors build partnerships in additive manufacturing
As 3D printing evolves, polymers higher up in the performance pyramid are being introduced by materials majors, often in partnership with specialist
companies.Peter Mapleston reports on recent developments
It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the pace of development in additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing. That’s especially true when it comes to fused filament fabrication (FFF), the generic name for fused deposition modelling (FDM), a Stratasys trademark. Right now, suppliers of engineering plastics are falling over themselves to bring out materials, either directly or with partners that have traditionally (if AM can be said to have a tradition, given its youth) been closer to the market. Members of the injection moulding community may choose to sit on the sidelines and idly watch it all happen, assuming that it is all for hobbyists and niche low-volume applications. But there is a real danger that if they don’t pay proper attention, they may just find that someone from the AM world has just “eaten their lunch”. So here are just a few of the most recent developments in materials and technology for AM.
New polyamides
“Our industrial customers need 3D printing materials that offer similar formulation, mechanical
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and chemical properties as our well-known injection moulding grades,” says Ernst Poppe, New Business Development Manager at DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers. “We have new filaments that are the next step in that direc- tion to help the industry move toward cost-efficient, automated and larger scale production.” At Formnext in November last year, DuPont
introduced glass- and carbon-reinforced 3D printing filaments. The company says that, “build- ing on the ultralow shrinkage technology of DuPont Zytel specialty nylons for 3D printing, these new grades address the industry needs for stiffer and stronger materials, similar in that sense to existing reinforced injection moulding grades, and without compromising easy printability, smoothness and surface quality.” Zytel 3D12G30FL BK309 is a black heat-stabi- lised 30% glass-reinforced PA with a modulus of 4-5GPa and a heat deflection temperature of over 150°C. Zytel 3D10C20FL BK544, with 20% carbon fibre, has similar properties but is for extra-light components. Both materials were shown in action
Main image: DSM is partnering with US-based Origin which has developed photopolymer- based 3D printing technology
June 2019 | INJECTION WORLD 27
PHOTO: ORIGIN
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