Covestro

Ether type; with product properties of high toughness, impact strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance.Inherent resistance to salt water stress cracking and hydrolysis. Suitable applications: Prototyping, Seals & Gaskets, Footwear, Orthotics, Flexible Industrial Parts.

The Low Smoke filament is a cost-efficient and easier-to-print solution for applications that need to meet European and North American railway norms. The innovative material can be printed easily on standard filament printers, eliminating the need for high temperature printers.

The proprietary formulation uses a non-halogenated flame retardant with a reduced ecological impact, and the composition has been optimized to avoid typical smoke development and achieve the low smoke requirement of the European and North American standards.

The glass filled material performs at high temperatures.

Key benefits

• Passes standards EN 45545-2, NFPA 130 (ASTM E162, ASTM E662), SMP 800-C and FAR 25.853
• Non-halogenated flame retardant material
• Reduced flame spread, smoke density and toxicity
• Low levels of toxic fume emissions and smoke density allow for safe evacuation in the event of a fire
• Cost-efficient alternative that can be printed on standard FFF printers and does not require high temperature printers
• Glass-filled material allows for superior thermal performance at elevated temperatures/heat deflection temperature (HDT)
• Reduced thermo-oxidative degradation
• Can be post-processed and painted

Applications

• Electrical in-train parts such as connectors, covers or enclosures, outlet boxes, panels
• Small electrical components such as cable guides, reading lights
• Other internal and external train applications, also visible parts
• Aerospace components

More information on our website: PA6/66-GF20 FR LS Low Smoke

Arnitel^®* AM3001 (P) is a thermoplastic elastomer material for SLS 3D printing technology that combines high energy return with easy processing. The soft elastomer meets the requirements of the European Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and is pending biocompatibility approval.

Soft, rubber-like polymer materials are widely used in sports and lifestyle such as footwear, sports guards and protective gear. Additive manufacturing is a production technology well suited to the sports and lifestyle market as it allows for cost-efficient personalization and customization. Actual adoption, however, will require availability of materials that combine the right property set with easy printing and a technology that can scale economically.

Typically, soft and elastomeric materials don’t 3D print easily. In Arnitel^® AM3001 (P) for SLS, Covestro material scientists managed to successfully combine both. A Shore Hardness of A88 and D35 with elongation at break of the thermoplastic copolymer (TPC) exhibits a very high energy return - above the 50-60% usually found in footwear materials. The Arnitel^®  powder designed for SLS printing is easy to process without common side-effects such as odors.

Key benefits

• One of the softest thermoplastic elastomer materials for SLS printing
• Energy return level that is much higher than typical footwear materials
• Excellent elongation at break
• Easy processing without odors
• Soft touch and feel
• Pending biocompatibility approval
• Higher, continuous use temperature
• End-user benefits of 3D printed protective mouthguards in Arnitel powder:
  • Better hygiene: parts can be dipped in boiling hot water to clean, without deformation
  • Easier communication on the field in team sports like hockey and rugby
  • 3D scanning rather than plaster bite improving client comfort
  • Aesthetic pleasing parts
• Can be post-processed for smooth surfaces, including thin wall parts
• White opaque appearance

Applications

• Footwear
• Protective gear such as sports guards
• Consumer goods
• Components that need to comply with the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC
• Parts requiring biocompatibility approval (pending)

The material will be available for customer evaluation and development in the first half of 2022.

*Arnitel® is a registered trademark of DSM.

More information on: Arnitel® AM3001 (P) (covestro.com)