Nexeo Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXEO), a leading global chemicals and plastics distributor, announced it is broadening its PLA offering from NatureWorks to include made-in-the-USA Ingeo 3D printing filaments. The addition expands its 3D offering which already includes specialty nylons, polyesters, and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs).

Nexeo Solutions Applications Development Engineers can provide material selection assistance. Some typical service offerings include:

• Guidance on design optimization  (i.e., use less material to reduce weight and cost or reduce warpage with small design adjustments)
• Printing tips and tricks
• Support on making the right material choice
• Offering a wide range of filaments based on materials from leading producers

Taking PLA to the next level of strength and heat resistance, NatureWorks has manufactured its Ingeo-branded PLA from greenhouse gases at global-scale production since 2002. Ingeo 3D870 is the new high-heat, high impact-resistant 3D filament grade from NatureWorks that rivals ABS performance, yet prints with the ease and associated advantages of PLA:

• Filament prints at low temperatures for greater safety and control
• Prints without generation of harsh chemical odors
• Eliminates the need for costly and complex heated build chambers
• Excellent adhesion to build platforms enables precision printing
• Minimal warpage in large parts due to superior interlayer adhesion

Items produced with the Ingeo 3D870 grade exceed ABS fused-filament-fabrication (FFF) parts in impact strength and, with post-print annealing, rival ABS heat resistance. This makes Ingeo 3D870 an ideal choice for simulation of injection molded components and for manufacturing parts like jigs, fixtures, and other durable articles, which often require better impact performance than general purpose PLA. (See accompanying chart.)

• Annealed for 10-20 min @ 110-120ºC
• Values from literature
• All test bars were 3D printed at 100% infill; For more on orientations of printed part, see the Ingeo 3D870 technical data sheet on www.natureworksllc.com
• 3D870 was tested by Essentium Materials

For applications where improved heat and impact are not required, Nexeo Solutions also distributes Ingeo general-purpose filament. This filament delivers reliable and easy printability at a lower cost than the higher performance grade.

“NatureWorks, the leading global manufacturer of PLA, has worked closely with Nexeo Solutions since 2009,” said Hector Mas, Global Manager 3D Printing at Nexeo Solutions. “With the addition of 3D filaments, we are proud to become a single-source supplier for our customers’ PLA requirements.”

“Close collaboration between Nexeo Solutions and NatureWorks ensures prototypers, and those printing industrially, are uniquely positioned to receive the most advanced 3D printing filament as soon as those new solutions become available,” said Dan Sawyer, Business Development Leader at NatureWorks.

Nexeo Solutions

www.nexeo3d.com