bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1406

3D printing
New tailor-made
PLA/PHA compounds
for 3D printing
German bioplastics specialist FKuR Kunststoff and Helian
Polymers, a leading Netherlands-based provider of
3D printing filaments, marketed under the ColorFabb
brand name, recently started to collaborate on the development
of novel PLA/PHA blends for 3D printing.
Customers know about FKuR’s outstanding expertise in
modifying and compounding PLA and PHA. So it is no surprise
that the company from Willich, Germany, recently started to
expand their range of bioplastics compounds into special
grades for 3D printing.
PLA compounds are particularly suitable for the FDM
process (Fused Deposition Modeling), as they offer a timely
solidification and low processing temperatures. Furthermore,
the low processing temperature results in easier control
of the printer and simplifies the regulation of the printing
process. With a printing accuracy that is far superior to that
of conventional ABS, still a major material used today, PLA
also offers cleaner processing conditions and unlike ABS,
PLA emits no potentially hazardous styrene vapours during
processing.
The inherent brittleness of unmodified PLA, however,
together with its low impact strength not only pose a challenge
during processing, they also impact adversely the quality of
the finished product. FKuR in close cooperation with Helian is
now developing new generations of PLA/PHA based filament
formulations that provide improved processing properties
combined with an optimized material quality.
“One important goal is to ensure productivity and production
reliability when extruding the filament,” explains Julian
Schmeling, Applications Technology and 3D print expert at
FKuR, “the other is to improve the process reliability when
3D printing with the filament.” The newly developed PLA/PHA
compounds meet these targets for example by exhibiting an
improved melt strength and elasticity. For the 3D printing
process it is essential that the filament delivered on a reel
is endless without any breaks. “Nothing is more annoying,
than finding your 3D print process interrupted due to a broken
filament,” says Edmund Dolfen, FKuR’s CEO and passionate
3D printer himself, “unless you want to stand next to your
machine and keep a watch on your 10 hour print process”. In
addition, Helian Polymers have optimized their four filament
production lines to the highest technical standards and
guarantee extremely narrow tolerances, a central criterion for
reliable 3D printing. And among other significantly improved
features the shrinkage and the propensity to warp are also
significantly reduced.
With their unique and comprehensive product portfolio, both
development partners will steadily expand the applications
and markets for PLA in 3D printing.
Helian’s Colorfabb filaments were initially launched in
2013, and are now available in a wide variety of colours.
Based on FKuR’s decades of experience in compounding
natural fibre (mainly wood) filled materials (e. g. under their
own brand Fibrolon ® ), the range of 3D print products was
recently extended to include new design materials reinforced
with natural fibres. The woodFill material consists of a
PLA/PHA blend and wood fibres, bambooFill is reinforced
with bamboo fibres, both grades optimized in fibre size and
content. Products printed with these novel filament grades
are characterized by a unique wood-like appearance and
distinctive feel. Compared with conventional wood, there are
virtually no limits to design freedom, opening new creative
options to all users, both professional and private. The latest
new developments include bronzeFill and copperFill, two
grades consisting of PLA/PHA blends filled with fine metal
powder. MT
www.fkur.com
www.colorfabb.com
20 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/14] Vol. 9