Evonik and HP Develop 3D-Printable Thermoplastic Elastomer to Enable Breakthrough Applications for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion Technology

Evonik and HP’s new co-branded1 elastomer is a flexible high-performance specialty powder based on a thermoplastic amide grade (TPA) for 3D printing. The new ready-to-use material has been developed thanks to a long-standing industry partnership between the two companies and it is optimized for the HP’s industry leading Multi Jet Fusion™ technology. The joint material development will be presented at this year’s formnext connect between November 10 and 12.

Evonik and HP’s new TPA powder is a flexible, lightweight-construction material distinguished by its very low density of 1.01 g/cm³ and a Shore A hardness of 91. The high-performance powder is excellently suited for production of functional high-tech 3D plastic parts—prototypes as well as series products—that call for high extensibility and energy return, such as sports equipment or automobile components.

 Successful Collaboration between Evonik and HP

The new ready-to-use powder material meets all the processability criteria required for optimized, production-grade parts developed for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion™ technology. The powder enables fast, high-quality parts to be produced using HP’s Jet Fusion 4200 series of 3D printers, resulting in an efficient, reliable experience similar to that of HP’s branded PA12 polyamide.

“Open collaboration with materials leaders like Evonik continues to be so important as we push the boundaries of additive manufacturing and accelerate the industry,” said Tim Weber, global head of materials, HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing. “We are excited to continue building on our long-standing partnership with Evonik to deliver another compelling material for customers and expect to see innovative new applications that take advantage of TPA’s flexible, lightweight properties.”

“The development of new ready-to-use specialty materials tailored to customer requirements belongs to Evonik’s DNA: The company is a leading producer of innovative high-performance powders, filaments, and liquid resins for all important 3D-printing technologies,” says Sylvia Monsheimer, Head of the New 3D Printing Technologies market segment at Evonik. “The new TPA is a perfect example of successful collaboration between Evonik and HP—that is, between the materials and the technology aspects of 3D printing—to develop the perfect printing parameters in close conjunction, so as to finally allow a smooth and trouble-free printing process.”

  New Material for Infinite 3D Applications by Goproto

Jesse Lea, President & CEO at GoProto, Inc.

Furthermore, Evonik’s new TPA powder makes it possible for clients to 3D print real, usable prototype through production of elastomer parts fast, no tooling – straight to parts. Customers, including US-based rapid manufacturing partner GoProto, are already developing new innovative applications. “We have had customers make ducts and bellows and footwear, athletic equipment, wearables and harnesses/connector parts. The combination of production quality material properties like high wear resistance, energy return, longevity and light weight continues to impress at every application. We at GoProto are extremely excited about the incredible value this brings to our clients developing new products in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment,” explains Jesse Lea, President & CEO at GoProto, Inc.

The specialty chemicals group is a global leader in the production of polyamide 12 (PA 12) powders, which have been used in additive manufacturing for more than 20 years. The product portfolio includes, in addition to polyamide 12 and polyamide 613, other flexible TPA and co-polyester powders belong to the portfolio of ready-to-use materials marketed under the brand name INFINAM®.

Source: Evonik