30
September
2019
|
00:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Versatile materials for 3D printing

Summary

• Collaboration with Covestro

Polymaker launches three new polycarbonate-based products

Polymaker, a market leader in advanced 3D printing products, announced the launch of three new polycarbonate-based 3D printing materials each with unique properties commonly used in various industries. Polymaker has partnered with Covestro to bring these new materials to market, thus enabling the access to materials well known to industry professionals and optimized for 3D printing.

The three new materials consist of:

  • Polymaker™ PC-ABS – a blend of already commonly used 3D printing materials, polycarbonate and ABS. The advantages of this blend are high impact and heat resistantancy and easy processing. The polycarbonate boosts the heat resistance and toughness of the material while the ABS contributes to the good processing properties. This PC-ABS is also specialized for surface finishings, i.e. by electroplating and metallization, providing a good approach for post processing.

    Polymaker™PC-ABS uses Covestro’s Bayblend® family as its base material which is a commonly used plastic in the automotive and information technology industry today. Polymaker™ PC-PBT – this polymer blend combines the good chemical resistance of PBT with the strength and toughness of polycarbonate. Polymaker™ PC-PBT performs very well under extreme circumstances whether in contact with hydrocarbon based chemicals or operating at subzero temperatures. The product maintains good toughness and its natural ductile fracture behavior at low temperatures.
     
  • Polymaker™ PC-PBT is created from Covestro’s Makroblend® family which is widely used in various industries. Compared to PC resins and PC-ABS compounds, PC-PBT has better resistance to chemicals, which enables printed applications where resistance to intermittent contact with fuels, oils, lubricants, cleaners is necessary.
     
  • PolyMax™ PC-FR, a creation from Covestro’s Makrolon® family, where the FR stands for flame retardant – the main feature of this polycarbonate based compound. This base material achieves V0 performance in the UL94 flame retardancy test and benefits applications where respective material approval is required. This allows PolyMax™ PC-FR to be applied for battery housings, motor mounts in aerospace and other industries. Within the automotive and electrical and electronics industry, many professionals are well accustomed with such FR materials.

    Polymaker have introduced their nano reinforcement technology that is featured in all PolyMax™ materials. This boosts the fracture toughness of the FR material and produces a flame-retardant filament that can still perform in demanding applications. PolyMax™ PC-FR uses Covestro’s Makrolon® showing a good balance between mechanical performance and safety, which has already been applied in electronic motorbikes, aerospace spare parts, and automotive production.
Boilerplate

About Covestro: 
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.

The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Forward-Looking Statements 
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.