Essentium, Inc. announced the introduction of Essentium PEKK, made with Arkema 6002 Kepstan resin. This ultra-polymer offers high heat and chemical resistance and mechanical strength to meet the performance requirements of aerospace and industrial applications. The material will be demonstrated on the Essentium HSE 280i HT, which is also making its first public demonstration at Rapid + TCT.

PEKK shares most of the performance attributes of PEEK but has a lower crystallization rate and can therefore be treated as an amorphous polymer. It is less affected by the cooling process once the part is 3D printed, minimizing warping. PEKK maintains the flame smoke toxicity ratings for FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) compliance while offering improved resistance to chemical attack compared to PEI materials. PEKK has an extrusion temperature between 340 and 400°C.

The new material allows manufacturers to scale and meet the requirements of their specific applications with tested and certified materials of their choice.

Showcasing the Essentium HSE 280i HT 3D printer for the first time in the US, Essentium will demonstrate how its independent dual extruders (IDEX) machine gives manufacturers the ultimate machine tool to 3D print at scale.  The system is independent on both the Y and X-axis, enabling manufacturers to 3D print multi-part builds at industrial speeds, even for parts with complex geometries.