Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions, a producer of advanced materials solutions for the AM industry, has developed a new durable material for use on HP Multi-Jet Fusion 3D printing system. The new material, the ESTANE® 3D TPU M88A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), is said to be available under a selective availability program.
ESTANE 3D TPU M88A is a soft, flexible polymer that has gone through development and testing at Lubrizol’s Avid Product Development and Advanced Materials facilities. Prototal AB has brought its support in the development of this polymer solution.
The material would allow for softer TPU-based lattice designs that can be dyed – rather than coated – to provide a wide range of color choices, resulting in finished colors that are brighter versus other TPU parts. The new material is applied in prosthetics and orthotics, and is well-suited for a wide range of consumer, industrial and automotive applications with great opportunities for customization and personalization.
“The team has been working diligently with our partners to develop a new grade that is flexible, durable with good aesthetics and design flexibility, while maximizing operational efficiencies for our customers by minimizing manual labor needed” says Gert-Jan Nijhuis, General Manager for Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions. Nijhuis adds “Our material expertise and solutions combined with a broad portfolio of 3D printing capabilities enables us to transform customers’ visions into new innovations, providing end-to-end solutions. From prototyping to mass production, Lubrizol is fully equipped to be your collaborative development partner.”
The upcoming availability of ESTANE 3D TPU M88A starting in the first quarter of 2023 will allow additive manufacturing companies to effectively target a variety of final parts taking advantage of the benefits of HP’s advanced 3D printing technology. The new material is enabling much faster printing time, 45% less than the current Lubrizol TPU in the market. Applications can be easily unpacked at room temperature, allowing for free schedule production runs.
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