DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers, a global business unit of the DowDuPont Specialty Products Division, launched new additions to the company’s portfolio of 3D printing materials at RAPID + TCT 2019, including six new Zytel polyamide and Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPC-ET) pellets and two new Hytrel filaments.

DuPont’s pelletized materials for pellet extrusion modeling were developed to help increase 3D manufacturing agility and cost-effectiveness by allowing customers to switch seamlessly from prototyping to small-series, pre-series and mass production—while maintaining similar polymer properties. The pellets and filaments offer a range of hardnesses, fiber reinforcement options and colors.

“As 3D printing capabilities advance beyond traditional prototyping and small-volume production, the industry is looking to scale up and accelerate production while driving down costs,” said Christophe Paulo, strategic marketer, EMEA, DuPont. “By delivering our products as pellets as well as filaments, DuPont gives customers the flexibility to use the same material across different processes. For instance, they can create prototypes with fused layer modeling and final parts with pellet extrusion modeling – or even injection molding for very high volumes – while maintaining consistent properties. The addition of pelletized materials to our offering supports the trend toward mass customization using 3D printing.”

Zytel polyamide for strong, rigid parts
DuPont introduced glass fiber-reinforced, carbon fiber-reinforced and unreinforced grades of Zytel polyamide (PA) pellets.

In 3D printing applications, Zytel pellets and filaments build on the material’s capabilities to deliver a balance of strength and stiffness as well as ultra-low shrinkage and warpage for strong, rigid, functional parts. They also provide heat and chemical resistance and lower moisture absorption than PA6 copolyamide, for less variability during printing operations and better retention of properties. The properties of these Zytel pellets and filaments are similar to those of Zytel materials used in injection molding.

Glass fiber-reinforced grades
DuPont’s glass fiber-reinforced grades feature a heat deflection temperature (HDT) greater than 150°C, good surface finish and resistance to common solvents and chemicals. The additions to DuPont’s portfolio are:
• Zytel 3D12G30PT Pellets with 30% glass fiber reinforcement (black)
• Zytel 3D12G50PT Pellets with 50% glass fiber reinforcement (black)

Carbon fiber-reinforced grades
DuPont’s carbon fiber-reinforced grades are light and strong, making them suitable for  demanding structural applications in aerospace and automotive. Zytel carbon fiber-reinforced materials offer good surface finish, an HDT greater than 150°C and chemical resistance. DuPont’s newest product offering is:
• Zytel 3D10C20PT Pellets with 20% carbon fiber reinforcement (black)

Unreinforced grades
DuPont’s unreinforced Zytel polyamide grades are suitable for functional 3D printed parts that require good aesthetics and elongation combined with low friction properties. These materials deliver strength and stiffness, good thermal properties (an HDT greater than 100°C) and the signature low shrinkage of all Zytel 3D printing grades for easy printing. DuPont’s new portfolio addition is:
• Zytel 3D1000PT Pellets (natural)

Hytrel TPC-ET for flexible, functional parts
Hytrel TPC-ET is a versatile copolyester available in multiple hardnesses to meet different application requirements. This semi-crystalline material combines the flexibility of rubber with the strength and processability of thermoplastics. Its key properties are heat and chemical resistance, strength, resilience and durability. The low shrinkage of these specialty Hytrel TPC-ET grades makes them suitable for flexible parts.

These pellets and filaments deliver consistent mechanical properties in the X, Y and Z printing directions, low moisture sensitivity during printing, and retention of flexibility in the finished part. As with Zytel pellets and filaments, Hytrel TPC-ET properties are translatable to injection molding.

60 Shore D grades
• Hytrel 3D4100PT Pellets (natural)
• Hytrel 3D4100FL Filament (black)
40 Shore D grades
• Hytrel 3D4000PT Pellets (natural)
• Hytrel 3D4000FL Filament (black)

These new pellet and filament technologies significantly enhance the DuPont portfolio of semi-crystalline materials for extrusion-based additive manufacturing.

DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers
plastics.dupont.com