Specialty chemicals group ALTANA has added high-performance resins to the Cubic Ink® 3D printing material families. As a reminder, the materials expert had developed three Cubic Ink® 3D printing material families for dp polar’s inkjet 3D printing technology (a company where ALTANA acquired a stake in 2017).
Developed with high-performance applications and prototyping in mind, the new materials have several capabilities in common. They can combine process-friendly properties such as low viscosity and resin stability with properties that enable them to be used as final components. From a properties standpoint, they deliver high heat resistance, toughness, and flexibility in the applications they enable.
“Industrial 3D printing has the potential to change entire industries. This requires forward-looking products, such as our resin-based Cubic Ink® printing materials, which enable high-resolution and productive printing,” says Dr. Petra Severit, Chief Technology Officer of ALTANA AG. “The new product family is designed for end-use applications and is compatible with any UV 3D printing technology. Our customers benefit from our great solution expertise in the development of innovative resilient high-performance materials and our experience in the formulation of high-performance inkjet inks.”
ALTANA thus offers a resin portfolio for manufacturer-independent use in any resin-based 3D printing technologies. In addition, its property profile is intended for the end application – special focus is placed on aging and chemical resistance in particular. The low viscosity of the resins, among other things, permits reliable processing in time- and cost-efficient printing processes for high-performance products. Printing properties and processes can be individually adapted depending on the printer and customer requirements, a press communication states.
A quick look at the four material series in each family
In the family of high-performance materials, the four material series include:
- The VP 1 series: With heat deflection temperatures exceeding 190°C, these rigid, solid materials are designed for use in demanding applications at very high temperatures, that is, very high HDT values and stability over a long period of time even in the high temperature range.
- The VP 2 series: Solid and thermoforming materials for end-use applications; fast printing thanks to low viscosity and a wide range of applications thanks to adjustable mechanical and thermomechanical properties;
- The VP 3 series: Materials with adjustable softness that permit high deformations, that is, materials that can be used flexibly even at low temperatures;
- The VP 4 series: High-resolution materials striking a good balance between heat resistance and brittleness at low viscosity, plus good mechanical and thermomechanical properties as well as adjustable properties, so that fast yet high-resolution printing is achieved with great design freedom.
In the prototyping family, the four material series include:
- Tough series (600 VP): Very high-resolution materials for prototyping and general applications with good chemical stability vis-à-vis aqueous systems and maximum design freedom.
- Rigid series (200 VP): Dimensionally stable materials for functional prototyping with adjustable rigidity.
- Dental series (100 VP): Materials that can be used in dental applications for efficient and high-resolution printing with adjustable rigidity and uncomplicated post-processing for maximum design freedom.
- Clear series (401 VP): Materials that have special optical effects with high transparency as well as an adjustable refractive index.
The resin-based Cubic Ink® printing material families now being presented expand the range of applications of ALTANA AG’s pioneering solutions for industrial 3D printing. For example, ALTANA extended its portfolio in 3D printing materials by acquiring the business of TLS Technik GmbH & Co Spezialpulver KG and the British company Aluminium Materials Technologies Ltd. (AMT), a press communication reports.
Remember, you can post job opportunities in the AM Industry on 3D ADEPT Media free of charge or look for a job via our job board. Make sure to follow us on our social networks and subscribe to our weekly newsletter : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram ! If you want to be featured in the next issue of our digital magazine or if you hear a story that needs to be heard, make sure to send it to contact@3dadept.com