Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions, a provider of specialty chemicals, has announced the commercial release of ESTANE® 3D TPU M88A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) under a selective availability program. This new TPU material for HP MJF technology is certified for its 5200 series, a 3D printing solution ideal for production applications.
ESTANE 3D M88A is a versatile and long-lasting material ideal for manufacturing parts and the printing of complex geometries and lattice structures.
TPU Material for HP MJF – ESTANE 3D TPU M88A
ESTANE 3D TPU M88A was developed in close collaboration with HP as a certified HP materials partner. For HP’s industrial-grade Jet Fusion 5200 printers that use powder bed fusion technology, ESTANE 3D TPU M88A is a soft, flexible polymer with excellent processing and unpacking properties. It was developed and tested extensively at both our Avid Product Development and Lubrizol Advanced Materials facilities, in collaboration with our beta partner Prototal AB. A wide range of applications will be on display at the Lubrizol and HP booths at Formnext 2022, which takes place from November 15 to 18 in Frankfurt, Germany.
The upcoming availability of ESTANE 3D TPU material for HP MJF in the first quarter of 2023 will enable additive manufacturing companies to effectively target a variety of final parts while benefiting from HP’s advanced 3D printing technology. The new material allows for 45% faster printing times than the current Lubrizol TPU on the market. At room temperature, applications can be easily unpacked, allowing for flexible production schedules.
ESTANE 3D M88A enables softer TPU-based lattice designs that can be dyed – rather than coated – to provide a wide range of colour options, resulting in brighter finished colours than other TPU parts. The new material is used in prosthetics and orthotics, and it is well-suited for a variety of consumer, industrial, and automotive applications, with numerous customization and personalization options.
“The team has been working diligently with our partners to develop a new grade that is flexible, durable with good aesthetics and design flexibility, while maximising operational efficiencies for our customers by minimising manual labour needed.”
– Gert-Jan Nijhuis, General Manager for Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions
Nijhuis added, “Our material expertise and solutions combined with a broad portfolio of 3D printing capabilities enables us to transform customers’ visions into new innovations, providing end-to-end solutions. From prototyping to mass production, Lubrizol is fully equipped to be your collaborative development partner.”
Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions will be present at the Formnext 2022 trade show in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from November 15 to 18, 2022. Lubrizol can be found at booth 12.1-F69.