Chemson Pacific has announced a claimed world-first 3D printing feedstock, 3D Vinyl.
The material was invented, developed and tested in Australia, and is believed to be the first PVC material for additive manufacturing, according to a statement from the company.
Chemson has also announced a strategic partnership with Functionalize of the US to co-develop “conductive, electrostatic dissipative and other specialised formulations of the product.
Michael Toutonghi, CEO of Functionalize, said the material offered “a strong, weatherable and durable alternative for conventional ABS use cases, while simultaneously expanding the materials options for the vast market of PLA-only printers.”
The announcement late last week from the company lists the material’s key attributes as follows
- UV resistant
- Weatherproof
- Solvent resistant
- “Group 1” Fire retardant (capable of AS3837 compliance)
- Low embodied energy content when compared to incumbent polymer-based filaments
- Sustainable footprint – requiring 50 per cent fewer fossil fuel inputs (3DVinyl™ uses abundant natural gas while some incumbents are derived from crude oil.)
- Improved rigidity
- Elimination of bottom layer warping and poor bed adhesion
- Excellent for generating support structures, which are easily removed