Arkema, a leader in advanced polymers and liquid resins for 3D printing, is taking steps forward to help customers accelerate additive manufacturing of high-tech parts. The Group has expanded its list of industrial partnerships and collaborative research programs all along the supply chain.
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During Formnext, that took place from November 19 to 22 in Frankfurt (Germany), Arkema exhibited its wide range of advanced materials for 3D printing and unveiled several new products and strategic partnerships with key players in the aeronautics, automotive, sports, and medical sectors.
New materials in the range of 3D Printing Solutions by Arkema
With the 3D printing solutions by Arkema platform created last year, Arkema is furthering its involvement in the this rapidly growing market and is expanding its range of advanced materials for all major additive manufacturing technologies.
N3xtDimension® liquid resins are pioneering solutions for UV curable 3D printing with unique engineered resins and custom liquid resin systems. Three new resins were launched at the show:
o High-temperature-resistant resin N3D T-1105
o Low-viscosity Casting resin N3D C-1115
o Impact modifier resin PRO22362
Arkema, which already offers a wide range of thermoplastic polymer powders (Rilsan® polyamide 11 fine powder, Orgasol® Invent Smooth powders, and Kepstan® polyetherketoneketone [PEKK]), is enhancing its range with the development of SLS Pebax® powder. This partially bio-based thermoplastic elastomer for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) provides the ideal combination of the usual strength of polyamides plus the flexibility and elasticity of polyethers/polyesters, perfect for sports applications.
Arkema is further supplementing its range of advanced polymers for filament extrusion printing technologies (Rilsan® polyamide, Kepstan® PEKK [polyetherketoneketone], and Kynar® PVDF) with MMA resin-based filaments with excellent mechanical properties, good UV resistance, and excellent optical performance.
Enhancement of strategic partnerships
Kimya: Launched in 2018, the partnership with Armor 3D as part of Kimya Lab has enabled the development of a new Kepstan® PEKK-based filament. This highly innovative material with very high mechanical and thermal strength is specially adapted for additive manufacturing of very high-performance technical parts used in the demanding markets of aeronautics, railway and automotive manufacturing.
As part of this partnership, another new filament, the PEBA-S Kimya filament made from Pebax® elastomer, has been developed for applications requiring lightness, a good energy return, and resistance to low temperatures, such as in the sports sector, for example. “This model of co-industrialization is key for ARMOR in the development of solutions adapted to industrial applications" corroborates Pierre-Antoine Pluvinage, Business Development Director, Kimya – Additive Manufacturing by ARMOR.
Stratasys launches Antero™ 840CN03, a new PEKK-based polymer leveraging Arkema’s Kepstan® PEKK technology. The new Antero™ material with consistent electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance is ideal for printing high temperature- and chemical-resistant parts particulary suited for aerospace and industrial applications.
Following the successful introduction of as Rilsan® PA11’s as printed material parameters in Autodesk’s Fusion 360 earlier this year, Arkema and Autodesk will further expand this collaboration to include Arkema’s specialty Orgasol® PA12 powders. Fusion 360 customers will soon be able to run hundreds of generative design outcomes that are ready to print based upon PA12 powder print profiles.
