Advanced Laser Materials (ALM), an EOS company and leader in materials development for industrial 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM), released its new polypropylene powder for use in selective laser sintering (SLS) AM: PP 400.

PP 400 offers superior mechanical properties in comparison to other options currently available on the market. Particularly, this material offers a 50% elongation of break, providing better impact resistance for use in dynamic environments. In addition, no additives, such as absorbers, are required for use, allowing the material to retain the pure chemical component of the polymer as well as its performance. The powder also has high recyclability enabling low cost-per-part manufacturing.

Additional benefits of PP 400 include strong chemical resistance against acids, bases, salts, and more, enhanced processing stability, good recyclability, and excellent performance in objects requiring living hinges. Ideal applications include fluid systems, tanks and containers, piping, interior components on automobiles, and anything that comes in contact with corrosive fluids.
“Developing our own polypropylene was less about just getting to market and more about getting to market with the right product that meets the demands of our customers and partners,” said Cary Baur, Manager, R&D and Applications Development – Polymers for EOS. “We wanted to create the best base material possible that would be successful on its own, but could also serve as a jumping off point for producing customized composites based on customer applications and needs – and we accomplished that with this material.”

ALM’s polypropylene powder was developed in partnership with Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas and the leading producer of biopolymers in the world. This is the first commercial product launched under that partnership, which began in 2018.

The material is now available for third-party industrial 3D printers and will soon be available for EOS machines as well.

ALM
www.alm-llc.com