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FormFutura High-Performance Polymers

Meet the necessary production standards with high-perfomance materials.

Over the past years the world of 3D printing mainly did exist out of materials like ABS, PLA and PET(G). A lot of developments have raised in the field of 3D printing, which do result in more and more possibilities.

3D printing was mainly used for prototyping and small scale production for little objects. With developments on both the 3D printer side as the 3D printer filament side we now have much more possibilities. Nowadays 3D printing can be used for much more than just prototyping.

The automotive and aerospace sector have embraced 3D printing years ago. In the past this mainly concerned prototyping, as the properties of general filaments did not meet the appropriate standards yet.

The demand for high-performance materials increased strongly over the years, but the limiting factor in this used to be the hardware. As nowadays more and more printers have the ability to print on high temperatures this limiting factor has dissapeared.

With the launch of the high-performance polymers we have made another step to bring FDM / FFF 3D printing closer to the industrial market. With our high-performance filaments it becomes more and more easy to realise objects for industrial purposes throughout 3D printing.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILAMENTS IN 3D-PRINTING

Desktop 3D printers are generally not used for critical applications and parts, high-temperature machines are. The tolerances, dimensional accuracy and properties of the parts are critical to meet the sector standards. 3D printing with high-temperature printers allow the usage of high-performance materials, which opens the door to 3D print end-use parts for aerospace, automotive and medical applications. 3D printing filaments such as PEEK, PEKK, PPSU and PEI (Ultem) parts are replacing steel and other metal parts in the heavy industry. 

The high-perfomance 3D printer filaments are on the forefront of using 3D printed parts in aerospace and other applications. These filaments are being used to save weight and production costs of custom parts. High-Temperature 3D Printers are not hype anymore, but actual production machines. 

The usage of high-temperature 3D printers allow flexibility in faraway projects. They offer the possibility to have on-the-spot production of (unforeseen) necessary functional parts. 3D printers are accompanying people on boats, space shuttles, satellites and other secluded locations. Instead of carrying a wide range of different spare parts it is possible to include rolls of 3D printing filaments and print only the necessary goods whenever needed. This offers a huge advantage on the logistic part of your projects.

THE PAEK FAMILY

PolyArylEtherKetone (PAEK) is a family of semi-crystalline high performance thermoplastics that are characterized by high mechanical strength and excellent resistance to temperature, chemicals and wear. The most widely used members of the PAEK thermoplastic family are:

  • PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK);
  • PolyEtherKetoneKetone (PEKK);
  • PolyEtherKetone (PEK);
  • PolyEtherKetoneEtherKetoneKetone (PEKEKK);
  • PolyEtherEtherKetoneKetone (PEEKK).

FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581

With FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 (Polyether Ether Ketone) we bring one of the most used high performance polymers into a PEEK 3D printer filament. Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 is a semicrystalline PEEK filament that has outstanding mechanical properties combined with superb thermal and chemical resistance properties. Parts that are 3D printed with Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 filament are suitable for use in applications that will be exposed to short term service temperatures of up to 260°C and continious service temperatures up to 250°C.

Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 is a 3D printer filament that is capable to 3D print parts that can replace metal and composite parts used in various industries. This PEEK filament unlocks industrial 3D printing applications in various industries, such as aerospace, medical, oil & gas, energy, marine, and automotive. Luvocom 3F PEEK 9581 filament allows one to 3D print parts with excellent layer bonding resulting in an unsurpassed dimensional accuracy and z-strength for PEEK 3D printed parts.

FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEEK-CF 9676

FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEEK-CF 9676 is a carbon-fiber reinforced PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) 3D printer filament that has outstanding mechanical properties combined with excellent thermal and chemical resistance properties. The carbon fibers inside Luvocom 3F PEEK CF 9676 filament significantly improve the stiffness and compressive strength propterties of 3D printed parts. Parts that are 3D printed with Luvocom 3F PEEK CF 9676 filament are suitable for use in applications that will be exposed to short term service temperatures of up to 280°C and continious service temperatures up to 250°C.

Luvocom 3F PEEK CF 9676 is a 3D printer filament that is capable to 3D print parts that can replace metal and composite parts used in various industries. This carbon fiber reinforced PEEK filament unlocks industrial 3D printing applications in various industries, such as aerospace, medical, oil & gas, energy, marine, and automotive. Luvocom 3F PEEK CF 9676 filament is suitable for 3D printing dynamically-stressed parts,  chemically- and hydrolytic-ally resistant parts, non-flammable parts and applications which require inherent flame resistance with low smoke and low toxic gas emissions. 

FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEKK 50082

This PEKK filament unlocks industrial 3D printing applications in various industries, such as aerospace, medical, oil & gas, energy, marine, and automotive. Luvocom 3F PEKK 50082 filament allows one to 3D print parts with excellent layer bonding resulting in an usnurpassed dimensional accuracy and z-strength for PEKK 3D printed parts.

Parts that are 3D printed with Luvocom 3F PEKK 50082 filament are suitable for use in applications that will be exposed to short term service temperatures of up to 300°C and continious service temperatures up to 255°C.

FormFutura Luvocom 3F PEKK 50082 filament can be processed at lower 3D printing temperatures than PEEK-based 3D printer filaments and yet it provides approximately a 15°C higher glass transition temperature (Tg). This makes Luvocom 3F PEKK 50082 filament a very versatile high performance 3D printing polymer that is capable to 3D print parts that can replace metal and composite parts used in various industries. 

FormFutura PPSU

FormFutura PPSU (Polyphenysulfone) is a high performance filament that combines outstanding sterilization abilities with unique hydrolysis resistance and a remarkably high impact resistance. Next to that, FormFutura PPSU contains a flame retardancy ability and offers good resistance to high-energy radiation. PPSU is a thermally and electrically insulating filament with an excellent chemical resistancy.

Following the features described above, PPSU is often used in the medical field. Applications in this can be for instance surgical instruments or for instance the dental field. One of the biggest reasons for this is that is can be autoclaved and sterilized. FormFutura PPSU meets the  ISO10993 standards for medical applications.

FormFutura PEI Ultem 1010

FormFutura PEI ULTEM 1010 with a glass transition temperature of 217°C PEI ULTEM 1010 is outperforming any other 3D printing filament. PEI ULTEM 1010 combines excellent thermal properties, exceptional dimensional stability, inherent flame retardancy and good chemical resistance into a high performance 3D printing filament.

FormFutura PEI ULTEM 1010 is a flame retardant 3D printing filament with low smoke evolution and meets UL 94 V-0 and 5VA ratings. PEI ULTEM 1010 filament enables one to 3D print parts with excellent layer bonding resulting in superb dimensional accuracy, impact resistance, durability and tensile strength properties for 3D printed parts.

FormFutura PEI Ultem 9085

FormFutura PEI ULTEM 9085 is an extraordinary filament. The  glass transition temperature of 186°C PEI ULTEM 9085 is slightly less than the PEI ULTEM 1010, but it is superior in many ways. PEI ULTEM 9085 exhibits excellent layer bonding properties enabling one to 3D print with excellent dimensional stability and highly reproducible part-to-part dimensions.

PEI ULTEM 9085 combines excellent thermal properties, exceptional dimensional stability, inherent flame retardancy and good chemical resistance into a high performance 3D printing filament. PEI ULTEM 9085 has a glass transition temperature of 186°C.

FormFutura PEI ULTEM 9085 is a flame retardant 3D printing filament with low smoke evolution and low smoke toxicity, which meets UL 94 V-0 and 5VA ratings.

Match with the EasyFix Adhesive

Whenever working with materials such as PEEK, PEKK, PEI and PPSU it is best to eliminate all hazards that possibly excist. These filaments are more expensive than general 3D printing filaments and therefore it is even more important to avoid any failed prints. 

With our EasyFix Nr. VII you’ll eliminate all problems when it comes to warping and adhesion. EasyFix – Nr.VII is a build plate adhesive for 3D printing which is specifically engineered to work with high-performance polymers, such as PEEK, PEKK, PPSU and ULTEM filaments. 

EasyFix adhesives are engineered to glue firmly to a heated build plate, making an object stick firmly to the build plate. On the other hand, it also has excellent release properties when the build plate is cold. This makes it very easy to remove a printed object from the build plate while reducing the risk of damaging the build plate and printed object in the process.

Adhesive & Drying – Tips & Tricks

If you need to dry the materials you need an oven that can run for several hours. Its highly recommended to dry these filaments for +4 hours at a maximum of 110°C (230°F). Our cardboard spools can withhold these constant high temperatures without a problem.

We also highly recommend to use our Adhesive Nr. VII which is made for PEEK, PEKK, ULTEM, and other High-Performance Materials. It’s also highly recommended to print in a heated chamber at 90°C (176°F) and to get great first layer adhesion and release properties our Adhesive will help you spare the build-plates.