Ultrasint TPU is a fully-functional, flexible material, making it ideal for resistant and elastic parts.
Materialise has expanded its 3D printing materials offering with BASF’s new Ultrasint thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) 01 material.
The Belgian 3D printing leader is one of the first company's to make the new material available through its online platforms including Materialise OnSite and i.materalise, and through its offline prototyping and manufacturing services.
Developed by BASF specifically for HP’s new Jet Fusion 5200 Series, Ultrasint TPU is a fully-functional, flexible material, making it ideal for resistant and elastic parts. As an early tester of the new 5200 series, which launched back in May, Materialise has been active in early exploration and application development for the new material.
The material combines smooth surface quality and crisp details with excellent mechanical properties. Its durable elasticity and abrasion resistance make it an ideal material for prototyping and manufacturing applications like air ducts, complex tubing, grippers and seals, but also footwear and other wearables. Its flexibility, shape recovery and shock absorption qualities also makes the material ideal for small series production of protective housings and covers.
“For nearly three decades Materialise has offered its customers access to the latest and most innovative products, technologies and manufacturing infrastructure,” says Pieter Vos, Marketing Director at Materialise Manufacturing. “Together with our customers we continuously look for new opportunities to create true business value using 3D printing technology. Today’s announcement confirms that ambition.”
Ultrasint TPU is available today and replaces the TPU 92A-1 previously offered with Materialise’s Selective Laser Sintering offering.
Last month, California-based 3D printing service provider, Forecast3D also announced plans to begin using the material following the installation of two HP Multi Jet Fusion 5210 platforms.
