Elastic ToughRubber 90 (ETR) photopolymer is designed for 3D printing flexible end-use parts.
Adaptive3D, the Texas-based additive manufacturing (AM) resin supplier is to debut a new high tear-strength direct curing rubber and polyurethane-like elastomer at Formnext next week.
The material, Elastic ToughRubber 90 (ETR) photopolymer is designed for 3D printing flexible end-use parts for products in the footwear, transportation, industrial and medical industries. Visitors to the Frankfurt event will be able to see a range of parts produced with the material on booth 12.1, G01.
“Elastic ToughRubber 90 is a tough printable elastomer for all seasons,” said Adaptive3D CEO Walter Voit, PhD. “With stable performance at cold temperatures, a tear strength of 46 kN/m, greater than 200% elongation, and ease of processing, Elastic ToughRubber unlocks the benefits of 3D printing to those who manufacture and sell rubber, polyurethane and foam parts.”
The material is said to offer a number of benefits for true manufacturing and overcomes common challenges faced around printing elastomeric materials with rubber and polyurethane-like performance. Historically, resin-based 3D printing technologies have been limited by viscous materials with low elasticity, poor tear strength and small strains, or a need for aggressive thermal post processing to form secondary strong polymer networks. To combat that, Elastic ToughRubber is a “one-part system” which means no mixing is required and ensures higher part-to-part quality. It is also pot stable, resulting in less waste compared to other elastomeric polyurethane photopolymers, as any leftover resin can be used in subsequent print jobs.
“Elastic ToughRubber is not just designed for end parts and products, it is already proven, and it is being used today to manufacture and sell consumer products,” said VP Sales & Marketing Kial Gramley. “Ultimately, we believe that the shoe industry is the perfect place for this material and we are ready to scale up production in 2020.”
Formnext takes place in Frankfurt on 19-22 November. Register for your showfloor ticket here and visit the TCT @ Formnext Conference website to register for your conference pass.
