bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1406

3D printing
New bioplastic for 3D printing
Plant-based plastics are already a popular choice for 3D
printing because they are much easier to work with during
processing, and are food safe and odour free. They are a great
example of how sustainable alternatives can gain market
share based on their performance, rather than just their green
credentials. However, oil-based printing filaments are still
used because they have a higher softening point and make
more flexible models that will bend before they break.
British-based developers Biome Bioplastics recently
launched a new bio-based material for 3D printing filaments.
Made from plant starches, Biome3D is a biodegradable
plastic that combines easy processing and a superior print
finish, while offering much higher print speeds. Developed
in partnership with 3Dom Filaments, the new plant-based
material was unveiled recently at the TCT Show 2014, the
leading event dedicated to 3D printing, additive manufacturing
and product development.
Biome3D combines the benefits of both plant and oil-based
printing filaments and demonstrates that high performance
plant-based plastics can be the ideal material for the 3D
printing industry. Biome3D combines a superior finish and
flexibility, with ease of processing and excellent printed detail.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly for the industry, it
runs at much higher print speeds, reducing overall job times.
“The future of bioplastics lies in demonstrating that plantbased
materials can outperform their traditional, oil-based
counterparts. Our new material for the 3D printing market
exemplifies that philosophy. Biome3D combines the best
processing qualities with the best product finish; it also
happens to be made from natural, renewable resources,”
explains Sally Morley, Sales Director at Biome Bioplastics.
However, Biome Bioplastics did not disclose any further
details about the bioplastic resins they are using. MT
www.biomebioplastics.com
PLA compounds
for 3D printing
In order to take advantage of 3D printing as a comparatively
inexpensive and creative option, special materials are needed
which must be formulated specifically to match customer
applications. PLA filaments are widely used today in 3D
printing. The GRAFE Group (Blankenhain, Germany) offers
its customers suitable and individual formulations for 3D
printing.
Reactor PLA can only, with much effort, be used to
produce PLA filaments. Normally the material undergoes
a compounding process using appropriate additives for
the individual application. When pigments are fed into
the formulation during compounding or through the
masterbatches, further components are added. The
additional materials in turn alter the viscosity and the result
is impaired processability. This presents a great challenge for
the manufacturers of (mostly) PLA and ABS filaments. The
addition of pigments in general impairs process reliability
and the consistent dimensional accuracy of the filaments.
Consistent dimensional accuracy of the filaments is, however,
a prerequisite for accurate printing and good structural
development of the component.
Grafe provides users of 3D printers with the right materials.
Newly developed additive masterbatches can raise quality,
efficiency and extrusion capacity. The thermoplastic PLA has
a huge advantage over other plastics. Besides being easy to
handle, the material displays minimal warp upon cooling so
that the work piece maintains greater dimensional accuracy.
High UV-resistance, low flammability and easy processing
are additional features of this thermoplastic polymer.
Environmentally conscious end consumers whose decisions
reflect concern for the ecological balance may also favor this
biobased and industrially compostable material. MT
www.grafe.com
bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/14] Vol. 9 19