materials | 3D printing


reflection and/or light transmission, thermally conduc- tive compounds for increased heat dissipation from housings or LED reflectors, and compounds that achieve metallic surfaces. These compounds are marketed under the brand name Alcom 3D. Also taking a two-handed approach is Trinseo, which


Solvay’s MMI Technyl Design simulation system for SLS


powders from BASF). “By focusing their combined R&D efforts on materials, printers and processes, the aim of the partnership is to achieve greater and faster development of new industrial applications,” says Prodways technology CEO Alban D’Halluin. Prodways offers premium 3D printers with an open


materials platform for a wide range of industrial and technical applications. “By partnering with A. Schul- man, Prodways will access state-of-the-art compound- ing know-how to develop materials which are economi- cal, reliable and whose mechanical properties are not yet reachable with 3D printing,” says D’Halluin. Another compounder, Albis, is also developing SLS


Right: Spool of ABS 3D


filament from Trinseo,


available through


Advanc3D


Materials from July onwards


materials, but says its main focus is currently on the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method. “One of the main reasons for this is the great number of printer systems with an open material interface which are also available for material developers and suppliers,” it says. “This has led to a rapid rise in developments in the printer market and enables compounders to develop materials from which extruders can make thermoplastic filaments.” The company goes on to say that, while ABS and PLA initially established themselves as standard polymers for printing, demand for plastics for technical applications is now on the rise as well. “We see growing demand for functional compounds, in particular for technical components,” says Thies Wrobel, product specialist for Alcom and Tedur brands at Albis. The portfolio includes tribological compounds, compounds for lighting applications with increased


46 INJECTION WORLD | May/June 2017


offers polycarbonate-, ABS- and polystyrene-based compounds to the automotive, medical devices, lighting and consumer electronics sectors. This year, its Performance Plastics and Consumer Essential Markets business moved into the additive manufacturing space when it partnered with Hamburg-based Advanc3D Materials, a producer of filaments for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM, which is very similar to FFF), as well as SLS powders. Trinseo products offered through Advanc3D Materials


include various grades of ABS, PC/ABS and PC. The grades are available in two diameters (1.75 mm and 2.85 mm) to accommodate Stratasys FDM as well as rival FFF 3D printer options. Grades are available that are biocompatible, ignition resistant and FDA-approved food contact blends in glossy and matt finishes. According to Trinseo, Advanc3D Materials hopes that aligning with named brands like Trinseo makes it easier for customers to move from their 3D printing projects to full-scale production using the same resins and eliminating the need to potentially requalify a grade. Polycarbonate and polyurethane producer Covestro


says: “After recognizing the advantages of these [3D printing] processes, industry now also views them as a major opportunity for efficient mass production of complex or individualized parts.” The company says that 3D printing has to clear some


hurdles before it can go into more widespread use. “One key issue is the lack of suitable materials,” it says. Covestro is currently developing a comprehensive range of filaments, powders and liquid resins for all


common 3D printing methods. “We want to work with


leading partners in the process chain to further


advance these developments,” says Julien Guiu, who leads the


company’s global 3D printing activities. “These include formulators, 3D printer manufacturers, software companies, service providers and of course OEMs.” He believes that material data should be integrated into the software used on 3D printers so that component structures can be further optimized. Covestro offers a broad choice of polycarbonate and


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