CD3D cooperates with Technology Applied – the largest Polish service company that is able to make 3D prints in virtually any additive technology. The company’s offer includes the production of parts using the SLS method (Selective Laser Sintering – sintering of powdered plastics with a laser beam). The largest 3D Technology Applied – EOS printers allow for the production of parts with a maximum area of up to 340 x 340 x 600 mm.
Technology Applied offers a service of additive manufacturing of very precise prototypes and final parts, both single copies and production series.
Polypropylene is one of the most commonly used plastics – due to its properties, it has gained popularity in the automotive, electrical and chemical industries. Recently, it has also become present in the world of 3D printing, both in the FDM material extrusion technology and in selective laser sintering technologies. What makes the material more and more popular are its properties. What is the characteristic of this material and what is it best for?
What distinguishes the material is the fact that it is characterized by low density. This means that, with increased strength, it is lightweight, opening up a number of potential applications. Strength is of particular importance in the production of moving parts, adapted to frequent bending. The flexibility of the material at the level of 70-85D Shore is also important. A polypropylene object subjected to cyclic loads will not break, but will deform and return to its original form.
The material is also characterized by chemical resistance to active substances such as acids, bases and salts. This means that the material can be successfully used for the production of components working in high and low pH environments.
Due to a number of properties, the material is used both in everyday products and in technical applications. 3D printing from polypropylene materials is mainly dedicated to the production of:
• prototypes made of materials imitating the real properties of details,
• usable elements, subject to continuous deformation, e.g. hinges and latches,
• utility models with flexible properties.
Polycarbonate is one of the most popular technical materials in the world, which is also becoming popular in the world of 3D printing. Due to its low weight, combined with increased strength properties, it is used in technical applications where impact resistance is the priority. In everyday life, it is used for production in a wide range of applications – from CDs to bulletproof glass. What applications should it be used for when using additive technologies?
When it comes to the properties of polycarbonate, it is worth emphasizing that it is a material with high impact strength, similar in some respects to PMMA. However, polycarbonate is mechanically much more durable – its hardness and compressive strength are comparable to aluminum.As a filament for 3D printing, polycarbonate is characterized by:
• dimensional stability,
• high stiffness,
• no deformation when exposed to high temperatures,
• insulating properties,
• impact resistance
• low weight with relatively high mechanical strength.
The material can be successfully used for 3D printing of mold tools, tools – both prototypes and functional parts. Printing in polycarbonate, however, requires specialized devices to maintain a constant, high temperature in the working chamber. Polycarbonate, like nylon, is a highly hygroscopic material, so before printing, it should be subjected to high temperature (e.g. in a filament dryer). It is recommended to store the material in a sealed package with a desiccant.
PCABS is a composite of the popular ABS plastic with the technical material PC (polycarbonate). By combining the materials, it was possible to combine the best features of the two materials, while making the printing process easier for users.
ABS is one of the most popular materials used for 3D printing in FDM technology. It is very popular as a filament due to its durability at a relatively low cost. ABS is characterized by high hardness, impact and abrasion resistance and good tolerance of high temperatures. However, it is not UV resistant, crumbling after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Material manufacturers are trying to emphasize the advantages of ABS, at the same time reducing the difficulties with 3D printing of this material, creating new variants of the classic filament. ABS is the basis for the tech materials, but thanks to the optimization of the composition and the manufacturing process, manufacturers offer filaments with increased strength or other mechanical properties.
The combination of ABS and polycarbonate allows to obtain a material resistant to impact, UV radiation and high temperature PCABS is also resistant to chemicals. The material will work well in creating prototypes, printing personalized tools, as well as functional parts intended for long-term use, exposed to impacts and contact with chemical substances.