Solvay Introduces KetaSpire® PEEK And Radel® PPSU Medical Grade Filaments

Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, has broadened its portfolio of high-performance filaments for premium additive manufacturing (AM) applications with the introduction of three medical grade products for use in the healthcare industry.

A neat KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) AM filament (NT1 HC) and a 10-percent carbon fibre reinforced KetaSpire® PEEK AM filament (CF10 HC), together with a neat Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) AM filament (NT1 HC) are Solvay’s first medical grade AM filaments for limited contact applications (<24hr bodily fluid/tissue contact). All three grades are immediately available in Europe and North America at Solvay’s e-commerce platform.

“The healthcare industry is quickly emerging as a leading market to benefit from AM technology which makes customized parts for single use or low volumes possible,” says Christophe Schramm, Additive Manufacturing business manager at Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit (GBU). “However, there is still a very limited choice of high-performance filaments that meet the stringent regulatory requirements in healthcare and this is the gap we want to close with our new selection of medical grade products.”

Solvay’s KetaSpire® PEEK AM filaments are designed to allow excellent fusion of printed layers, enable high part density and deliver exceptional part strength, including along the z-axis. Radel® PPSU AM filaments also provide excellent fusion of printed layers in addition to transparency, high elongation and toughness.

“These new medical grade AM filaments emphasize Solvay’s continuing, pro-active initiatives to support our customers. The filaments can be used for a range of healthcare applications such as patient-specific cutting guides for surgery and for complex components in single-use and reusable medical devices,” said Jeff Hrivnak, global business manager for Healthcare at Solvay’s Specialty Polymers GBU.

Source: Solvay