Polymaker in partnership with Covestro launches Versatile materials for 3D printing
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
Mumbai, October 1, 2019, Polymaker, a market leader in advanced 3D printing products, announced the launch of three new polycarbonate-based 3D printing materials each with unique properties commonly used in various industries. Polymaker has partnered with Covestro to bring these new materials to market, thus enabling the access to materials well known to industry professionals and optimised for 3D printing.
The three new materials consist of:
· Polymaker™ PC-ABS – a blend of already commonly used 3D printing materials, polycarbonate and ABS. The advantages of this blend are high impact and heat resistancy and easy processing. The polycarbonate boosts the heat resistance and toughness of the material while the ABS contributes to the good processing properties. This PC-ABS is also specia lized for surface finishings, i.e. by electroplating and metallization, providing a good approach for post processing.
Polymaker™ PC-ABS uses Covestro’s Bayblend family as its base material which is a commonly used plastic in the automotive and information technology industry today. Polymaker™ PC-PBT – this polymer blend combines the good chemical resistance of PBT with the strength and toughness of polycarbonate. Polymaker™ PC-PBT performs very well under extreme circumstances whether in contact with hydrocarbon based chemicals or operating at subzero temperatures. The product maintains good toughness and its natural ductile fracture behavior at low temperatures.
· Polymaker™ PC-PBT is created from Covestro’s Makroblend family which is widel y used in various industries. Compared to PC resins and PC-ABS compounds, PC-PBT has better resistance to chemicals, which enables printed applications where resistance to intermittent contact with fuels, oils, lubricants, cleaners is necessary.
· PolyMax™ PC-FR, a creation from Covestro’s Makrolon family, where the FR stands for flame retardant – the main feature of this polycarbonate based compound. This base material achieves V0 performance in the UL94 flame retardancy test and benefits applications where respective material approval is required. This allows PolyMax™ PC-FR to be applied for battery housings, motor mounts in aerospace and other industries. Within the automotive and electrical and electronics industry, many professional s are well accustomed with such FR materials.
Polymaker have introduced their nano reinforcement technology that is featured in all PolyMax™ materials. This boosts the fracture toughness of the FR material and produces a flame-retardant filament that can still perform in demanding applications. PolyMax™ PC-FR uses Covestro’s Makrolon showing a good balance between mechanical performance and safety, which has already been applied in electronic motorbikes, aerospace spare parts, and automotive production.
About Covestro: With 2018 sales of EUR 14.6 billion, Covestro is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the ma nufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,800 people (calculated as full-time equivalents) at the end of 2018.
About Polymaker: Polymaker is a company that produces advanced 3D printing materials specifically engineered for a wide range of applications across many industries. At the heart of Polymaker is a large research and development laboratory which drives the company forward through constant innovation and testing. All Polymaker materials are formulated and optimized for 3D printing while maintaining the unique properties inherent to the respective base polymer.