Plastics Technology

FEB 2018

Plastics Technology - Dedicated to improving Plastics Processing.

Issue link: http://pty.epubxp.com/i/929876

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 33 of 91

In 2014, SABIC began to expand its footprint when it became involved in the emerging technology of LFAM. For example, the company was a sponsor of a collaborative effort with Local Motors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Cincinnati, Inc. that resulted in printing the Strati electric vehicle live at the 2014 IMTS show in Chicago. In May 2017, SABIC launched its initial portfolio of Thermocomp AM compounds for LFAM (see Jan. '18 Keeping Up report). Print parameters and mechanical prop- erties for these materials were developed using test specimens printed on the company's big-area additive manufacturing (BAAM) machine. Reinforced with carbon or glass fibers, the new compounds can be used for applications in tooling, aerospace, automotive, and defense industries. The first eight Thermocomp AM compounds are based on four of the company's amorphous resins: ABS, PPE alloy, PC, and PEI, which exhibit good creep behavior. Compared with semi- crystalline resins, lower shrinkage during cooling and less thermal expansion during end use also mean these amorphous materials demonstrate greater dimensional stability. Expect 2018 to be a very active year in terms of the variety of products planned for commercial launch, say SABIC sources. For LFAM, there may be an expansion of the Thermocomp AM portfolio. SABIC is currently evaluating new compounds based on semi-crystalline resins such as PBT, nylon, PPS, and PEEK to address the industry's needs for LFAM materials with improved chemical resistance and stiffness. SABIC is also aiming to grow its involvement in SLS with new custom-made powder forms of engineering resins. Company sources note that semi-crystalline materials have been used nearly exclusively for SLS processes. However, expect to see the launch of a unique PC powder that will allow fully amorphous parts to be produced. The company plans to expand this unique material and process technology to other amorphous resins. In the last three years, SABIC (U.S. office in Houston) has signifi- cantly stepped up its efforts to enable use of additive-manufac- turing processes for mass production. The focus has been on development of materials that are optimized for use in additive processes (aka 3D printing) and that meet the end-use performance requirements of highly regulated industries such as aerospace and healthcare. SABIC has been working to develop materials for such additive processes as fused deposition modeling (FDM) and fused filament fabrication (FFF); selective laser sintering (SLS); and large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM). NEW FILAMENTS AND POWDERS SABIC (sabic.com) has been active for more than a decade as a sup- plier of engineering resins to customers who produce filaments for FDM-type processes. The company was best known as the supplier of Ultem PEI resin used by Stratasys, Eden Prairie, Minn. (stratasys. com) in its Fortus series of industrial FDM printers. By Lilli Manolis Sherman Senior Editor Two new Thermocomp AM compounds were used for a concept boat hull from Livrea Yacht—a carbon-fiber reinforced PEI for the inner lattice support structure. This 3D-printed concept drone is based on Lexan EXL PC/siloxane copolymer filament, which boasts has up to four times the impact performance of standard PC. Engineering Resins Maker Focuses on 3D Printing Materials SABIC develops arsenal of specialty products based on its engineering resins for a new range of processes. Developing amorphous and semicrysalline compounds, filaments, and powders for a wide variety of additive processes. 32 FEBRUARY 2018 Plastics Technology PTonline.com A D D I T I V E M A N U F A C T U R I N G Close -Up On Technolog y

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Plastics Technology - FEB 2018