3D printing polymers

As for 3D metal printing, the material used is determined by the printing process and the requirements on the component. Our materials experts can select the right material for your application from the extensive range available. We have specialized in the following polymers:

ABS (Acrylnitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is the most commonly used polymer in industrial applications. This material features a high stability, impact resistance and abrasion resistance while also being lightweight. ABS can be used in a temperature range between -20 °C an +80 °C. However, it is not resistant to weathering and is vulnerable to solvents such as acetone.

It can be processed with the Additive Manufacturing process FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) and BJ (Binder Jetting).

Applications

Due to its flexibility, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is ideal for the production of snap-closures. Fixtures (fasteners) are also often made of ABS.

Automotive industry
Electrical industry
Chemical industry

Alumide/ PA-AF

Alumide or PA-AF consists of polymide which is reinforced by the adding aluminium particles. This achieves high strength, rupture strength, abrasion resistance, temperature resistance up to 170 °C and dimensional stability. A slightly porous surface is characteristic for components made of this material. Polyamide tends to absorb water, so that alumides are not water-resistant either.

Alumides can be processed with the SLS process (Selective Laser Sintering). The material is particularly suitable for complex components, small series of functional components and devices.

PA (Polyamide)

Polyamide (PA) as a manufacturing material features a balanced ratio of stability, rigidity, flexibility and impact resistance. PA is also biocompatible, resistant to many chemicals and suitable for food, with the exception of alcohol. The disadvanatage of PA is the tendency to absorb water and swells when it comes into contact with water.

It is suitable for the Additive Manufacturing processes SLS/LBM, FDM and MJF. Different PA-types are available, e.g. PA12, PA11 and PA6.

PA12 FR (PA 2210 FR) is a flame-retardant high-performance polymer with high strength and stiffness. It is also resistant to grease, oil and chemicals.

Applications

PA is used in the form of functional prototypes and functional components in a wide range of industries:

Automotive
Aerospace
Robotics
Medical technology
Electronics and electrical engineering

Polyamide can be used, for example, to manufacture gears or injection molds.

PC (Polycarbonate)

PC is a transparent polymer with high flexural, tensile and impact strength. The material also features a high heat deformation resistance and can be used permanently in a temperature range between -40 and +130 °C. PC is resistant to a number of chemicals, but tends to absorb water.

Polycarbonate can be processed with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

Applications

The most commonly known applications of PC are optical storage media such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The automotive industry uses transparent, immovable discs made of PC. In addition to this, the material is used for optical components such as lenses, spectacle glasses, sports safety glasses and visors.

PEEK (Polyetheretherketone)

As a high-performance plastic, PEEK features high rigidity, excellent strength and high wear resistance. Polyetheretherketone can be used permanently at a temperature of approx. 250 °C and is resistant to creeping even at high temperatures. Furthermore, PEEK is biocompatible and resistant to virtualy all organic and inorganic chemicals as well as to beta and gamma radiation. PEEK is not resistant to strong acids such as nitric and sulphuric acid.

It can be processed using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

Applications

Typical components made of PEEK are plain bearings, gears, fittings, piston rings and valves, which are used in the following industries:

Medical technology
Aerospace
Automotive industry
Chemical industry
Pharmaceutical industry
Defense technology
Nuclear industry

PLA (Polylactic acid/ Polylactide)

Polylactide is a synthetic polymer or a bioplastic and it is biocompatible and biodegradable under ideal conditions. The material is produced from renewable raw materials (plant starch/lactic acid blocks). PLA is resistant to most chemicals, food-safe, cost-efficient and very hard and rigid. However, the bioplastic is brittle and not heat-resistant.

In addition to ABS, PLA is the most commonly used plastic and suitable as an entry-level material for 3D printing due to the easy processing. The PlA filament can be printed with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

Applications

PLA is suitable for manufacturing prototypes, spare parts and functional components such as housings or control elements.

Medical technology
Food industry
Agriculture
Packaging industry

PP (Polypropylene)

Polypropylene is a polymer with good impact resistance, high flexural strength break and good fatigue strength. PP is also relatively hard and wear-resistant, very lightweight and has very good mechanical and chemical properties. It should not be used at very low temperatures. Nevertheless, this is a very versatile material due to is sustainability, chemical resistance and food-safe property combined with a high surface quality.

Polypropylene can be processed with FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering).

Applications

Automotive industry
Electrical and household appliances industry
Textile industry
Food industry
Packaging industry
Architecture, construction
Art, fashion, sports & leisure

Silicones

Silicones are elastic polymers with long-lasting, high elasticity that can be used in a wide temperature range from -50 to +200 °C. Silicones are also biocompatible, non-flammable and resistant to UV radiation, weathering and many chemicals (except gasoline and oil). Different degrees of hardness from Shore A 20 to 60 are available.

Silicones can be processes with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

Applications

Due to their good elasticity, silicones are versatile. In addition to prototypes and small batches, handles, protective covers, holding devices and assemblies with seals can be produced.

Automotive industry
Aerospace
Medical technology
Mechanical engineering
Industrial products

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU is a permanently elastic plastic with high elongation at break. TPU is also highly wear-resistant and has a good shock absorbtion.

It can be used to manufacture prototypes or functional components with good shock absorption and rubber-like elasticity over a wide temperature range. TPU is suitable for applications with skin contact.

Applications

Polyurethane is used for functional prototypes, e.g. in the automotive industry.

Ultem/ PEI (Polyetherimide)

Ultem, also known as PEI, is a heat-resistant, flame-retardant plastic with high strength. Ultem is also resistant against UV and gamma radiation and many chemicals. This high-performance polymer is also hydrolysis-resistant, biocompatible, creep-resistant over a wide temperature range and can be used permanently at temperatures up to 170 °C.

Components made of PEI / Ultem can be manufactured using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

Applications

Electrical engineering and electrical industry
Automotive
Aerospace
Chemical industry
Medical industry

Fiber-reinforced polymers

For fiber-reinforced plastics (composites), fibers are embedded in a polymer to achieve a very high specific strength. The strength of these materials is very high in relation to their weight.

Fiber-reinforced plastics have anisotropic mechanical properties, e.g. the properties are directional. The tensile strength ist therefore significantly higher in the direction of the fibers. It is therefore important to take into account the fiber direction for design engineering and manufacturing when using these materials.

Two fiber types are used in Additive Manufacturing: plastic reinforced with short fibers (< 1 mm length) and polymers reinforced with endless fibers. Carbon fibers and glass fibers are among the most popular fibers for this material mix. Glass fibers have the advantages of being relatively cheap and corrosion-resistant. In contrast to this, carbon fiber composites have a higher strength and rigidity, but are more expensive than glass fibers. Furthermore, carbon fibers are brittle, have low thermal conductivity and good fatigue properties. Aramid fibers, also known as Kevlar, have high impact strength, good heat resistance and good vibration damping. Kevlar, however, has a significantly lower compression strength than glass and carbon fibers. In addition to this, Kevlar is not resistant to strong acids and lyes as well as to UV radiation. The following composites are currently used:

Polyamide (PA6) with short and endless carbon fibers
Polyamide (PA6) with short and endless glass fibers
Polyamide with Kevlar (endless aramid fibers)
PEEK with short and endless carbon fibers

Both short and long-fiber materials can be process using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling).

Applications

The enormous strength makes fiber-reinforced plastics, espacially carbon fibers, suitable for high-performance applications and high-strength yet lightweight components such as functional prototypes.