Spectrum Filaments presents 8 new technical materials – Kevlar and Teflon composites as well as high temperature and solvent resistant

Spectrum Filaments – the leading Polish manufacturer of materials for 3D printing in FDM / FFF technology and one of the largest manufacturers in Europe, will present a range of 8 new technical materials at the Formnext 2022 fair in Frankfurt am Main. Among them are composites of Kevlar (aramid fibers), PTFE (Teflon), carbon and glass fibers. The offer will also include the high-temperature PPS AM230 material – parts made of this material allow for continuous operation at temperatures above 100°C, and its softening point (VICAT) is as high as 236°C.

Spectrum Filaments has been operating on the market of additive technologies since 2015. The company’s offer includes over 60 types of filaments in various variants, which translates into several hundred catalog items. The company produces and sells materials under its own brand, as well as supplies them to many reputable manufacturers of 3D printers. The company’s filaments are dedicated to work with both amateur (budget) as well as desktop and industrial 3D printers.

Each produced spool goes through a very precise quality control system – VERIFY YOUR SPOOL, thanks to which each spool has an assigned graph showing the deviations occurring during the production of the wound material. The material is continuously measured in 2 axes with an accuracy of ± 0.8 µm, which allows to obtain a high-quality end product.

New Spectrum materials that will be presented at Formnext 2022 will go to the manufacturer’s distribution network in mid-November 2022:

ASA Kevlar

Composite material, based on the combination of ASA copolymer with aramid fibers – one of the strongest synthetic fibers. Aramid fibers, known under the trade name Kevlar, are used to produce items with high resistance to damage, such as bulletproof vests, helmets or speaker membranes. Under the influence of stress, they do not break (like glass and carbon ones), instead, they exhibit shear cracking and tearing.

Aramid itself is a material that is poorly resistant to UV radiation, but as a result of combining it with ASA – a material highly resistant to this factor, it guarantees long life of the fibers and the entire composite. Kevlar fibers, unlike carbon and glass fibers, show significantly less abrasion of the 3D printer nozzle. The use of fibrous structures reduces material shrinkage during the 3D printing process, allowing the production of large parts.

Features of ASA Kevlar:

• 10% aramid fiber content
• HDT thermal resistance: 89°C
• Vicat softening temperature: 94°C
• good aging resistance
• very good impact resistance
• relatively high chemical resistance
• resistance to UV radiation
• the possibility of 3D printing on desktop 3D printers without a heated chamber
• matte, carbon print surface.

3D printing specs:

• printhead temperature: 240-270°C
• printbed temperature: 80-100°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-70 mm/s
• heated working chamber: not required

ASA-X CF10

Filament with high resistance to external conditions with a beautiful carbon finish. ASA-X CF10 is an ASA-based composite filled with carbon fibers. The parts made of the material are resistant to external exposure (UV sunlight) and moisture. Its tensile modulus is over 7.5 GPa and its thermal resistance is 101°C. At the same time, the Spectrum ASA-X CF10 is characterized by low shrinkage and easy 3D printing.

Features of the ASA-X CF10:

• 10% carbon fiber content
• HDT thermal resistance: 95°C
• Vicat softening temperature: 101°C
• excellent resistance to external exposure and UV radiation
• the possibility of 3D printing on desktop 3D printers without a heated chamber
• matte, carbon print surface.

3D printing specs:

• printhead temperature: 235-260°C
• printbed temperature: 90-110°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-70 mm/s
• heated working chamber: not required

PPS AM230

Spectrum PPS AM230 is a specialized, high-temperature filament, the production base of which is an engineered PPS polymer with exceptionally high mechanical parameters. Even under constant stress at high temperatures (above 100°C), the stiffness and strength remain unchanged. Spectrum PPS AM230 has a softening point (VICAT) up to 236°C.

The filament is also characterized by remarkable chemical resistance – it is practically insoluble in any known solvent, including concentrated acids and bases. A characteristic feature of Spectrum PPS AM230 is its natural non-flammability even without the use of flame retardant additives. Due to its high dielectric strength, the PPS material is ideally suited as an insulator. Spectrum PPS AM230 shows excellent adhesion to silicone, which successfully increases its functional values ​​in applications requiring tight connections between individual elements.

The impressive properties of PPS allow for a very versatile use in 3D printing. Especially in the electronics and automotive sectors, where parts have to withstand the highest mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical loads.

The Spectrum PPS AM230 filament is designed for use in high-temperature 3D printers (head temperature 300-330°C; working platform 100-120°C) with an actively heated chamber (60-80°C). Despite the high dimensional stability of the material, in order to avoid cracks due to stresses resulting from sudden temperature changes (especially if the model is geometrically complicated), it is recommended to leave the model in a warm chamber to gradually cool the printout before removing it.

Features of the Spectrum PPS AM230:

• HDT thermal resistance (0.45MN / m2): 129°C
• Vicat softening point: 236°C
• very high dimensional stability
• resistance to solvents
• high dielectric strength.

3D printing specs:

• printhead temperature: 300-330°C
• printbed temperature: 100-120°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-70 mm/s
• heated working chamber: actively heated chamber (60-80°C).

PETG/PTFE

Spectrum PETG / PTFE is a copolymer with tribological properties for the production of sliding elements and gears. PET-G supplemented with 10% PTFE (Teflon), which has self-lubricating properties, was used as the basis for the development of the material. Thanks to the proper selection of components while reducing the coefficient of friction, the filament retains the ease of 3D printing, interlayer adhesion, impact resistance and thermal properties characteristic of PET-G. The filament is available in a wide range of colors. Parts printed from Spectrum PETG / PTFE are able to withstand operating temperatures up to 70°C.

Features of PETG / PTFE:

• 10% PTFE content
• reduced friction coefficient compared to classic PET-G
• temperature resistance up to 70°C
• ease of 3D printing
• good chemical resistance.

PA6 Low Warp CF15S

Spectrum PA6 Low Warp CF15S is a 3D printing material for the production of high-load parts. The “LowWarp” line is characterized by additional admixtures aimed at improving the flow during 3D printing and better adhesion of material particles. The use of 15% carbon fibers results in more than two-fold increase in stiffness and increased tensile strength (up to 120 MPa). Additionally, Spectrum PA6 Low Warp CF15S has an increased HDT thermal resistance: 180 ° C (0.45MPa), compared to the unfilled version. The fiber content reduces the shrinkage characteristic of most high-temperature materials, significantly facilitating the printing process and gives the printouts an aesthetic, “carbon” look.

Features of the PA6 Low Warp CF15S:

• 15% carbon fiber content
• two-fold increase in stiffness compared to unmodified polyamide
• high mechanical properties and abrasion resistance
• excellent chemical resistance
• thermal resistance HDT 180°C (0.45MPa)
• the possibility of 3D printing on desktop 3D printers
• matte, carbon print surface.

3D printing specs:

• head temperature: 250-280°C
• bed temperature: <80°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-70 mm/s
• heated working chamber: recommended.

PA6 Low Warp GF30

Spectrum PA6 Low Warp CF15S is a 3D printing material for the production of high-load parts. The “LowWarp” line is characterized by additional admixtures aimed at improving the flow during 3D printing and better adhesion of material particles. The use of 15% carbon fibers results in more than two-fold increase in stiffness and increased tensile strength (up to 120 MPa). Additionally, Spectrum PA6 Low Warp CF15S has an increased HDT thermal resistance: 180°C (0.45MPa), compared to the unfilled version. The fiber content reduces the shrinkage characteristic of most high-temperature materials, significantly facilitating the printing process and gives the printouts an aesthetic, “carbon” look.

Features of the PA6 Low Warp CF15S:

• 15% carbon fiber content
• two-fold increase in stiffness compared to unmodified polyamide
• high mechanical properties and abrasion resistance
• excellent chemical resistance
• thermal resistance HDT 180°C (0.45MPa)
• the possibility of 3D printing on desktop 3D printers
• matte, carbon print surface.

3D printing specs:

• head temperature: 250-280°C
• bed temperature: <80°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-70 mm/s
• heated working chamber: recommended.

PCTG CF10

PCTG is a copolyester characterized by much greater impact strength compared to the popular PETG. The high flexibility of PCTG combined with high layer bondability, high viscosity and negligible shrinkage make it an ideal polymer for composing composite materials. PCTG CF10 is a composite with carbon fiber – the fibers used give the filament an extremely high stiffness, while reducing the brittle cracking characteristic of other PETG-based carbon composites. They also increase thermal resistance, reduce shrinkage and give the characteristic “carbon” matte appearance to printed parts.

Features of Spectrum PCTG CF10:

• 10% carbon fiber content
• temperature resistance HDT 78 ° C
• high stiffness and tensile strength
• good impact resistance
• chemical resistance
• carbon, matte print surface
• the possibility of subtracting.

3D printing specs:

• printhead temperature: 250-270°C
• printbed temperature: 50°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-80 mm/s
• heated working chamber: not required.

PCTG GF10

Spectrum PCTG GF10 is another composite, this time filled with glass fibers. It has high durability and a mat surface. As in the case of PA6 Low Warp GF30, it also uses fibers with a less aggressive geometry, reducing the degradation of the 3D printer nozzle. Spectrum PCTG GF10 is a technical filament with high stiffness and hardness. Thanks to the extremely high interlayer adhesion and low shrinkage, it enables large prints, even by intermediate users.

Features of Spectrum PCTG GF10:

• 10% glass fiber content
• HDT temperature resistance: 78°C
• high stiffness and tensile strength
• good impact resistance
• high quality of the print surface
• good corrosion resistance
• high chemical resistance as well as electrical and thermal insulation.

3D printing specs:

• printhead temperature: 250-270°C
• printbed temperature:> 50°C
• 3D printing speed: 30-80 mm/s
• heated working chamber: not required.