DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers, a global business unit of the DowDuPont Specialty Products Division, is launching at RAPID + TCT 2019, new additions to the company’s portfolio of 3D printing materials, including six new Zytel polyamide and Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPC-ET) pellets and two new Hytrel filaments. DuPont’s new pelletized materials for pellet extrusion modeling were developed to help increase 3D manufacturing agility and cost-effectiveness by allowing customers to switch seamlessly from prototyping to small-series, pre-series and mass production—while maintaining similar polymer properties. The new pellets and filaments offer a range of hardnesses, fiber reinforcement options and colors.
The company’s R&D programs manager, Jennifer L. Thompson, Ph.D., will give a technical presentation on these new materials, titled “High Performance Materials for 3D Printing” on Thursday, May 23, at 10:15 a.m. EDT as part of the Material Development and Characterization conference session. Thompson will highlight new engineering materials for industrial use, describe alternative 3D printing methods such as pellet extrusion modeling and discuss tailored testing programs for printing materials.
“As 3D printing capabilities advance beyond traditional prototyping and small-volume production, the industry is looking to scale up and accelerate production while driving down costs,” said Christophe Paulo, strategic marketer, EMEA, DuPont. “By delivering our products as pellets as well as filaments, DuPont gives customers the flexibility to use the same material across different processes. For instance, they can create prototypes with fused layer modeling and final parts with pellet extrusion modeling – or even injection molding for very high volumes – while maintaining consistent properties. The addition of pelletized materials to our offering supports the trend toward mass customization using 3D printing.”
At RAPID + TCT, DuPont is exhibiting automotive ducts and structural components, and a variety of other 3D-printed parts that showcase the diversity and capabilities of its Zytel and Hytrel 3D pellets and filaments.