Igus High Performance Polymers Ensure Wear Resistance

Igus’ offered material range includes special filaments for 3D printing with the fused deposition modeling/fused filament fabrication method (FDM/FFF) and polymers for selective laser sintering (SLS). The main focus of the developers is on the wear and abrasion resistance of special polymers, specifications that lead to a long service life of 3D printed components — such as plain bearings, gears, rollers, grippers and joints, the company says.

"In terms of robustness, 3D printing even keeps up with the injection moulding process," says Tom Krause, head of additive manufacturing at Igus. "Tests have shown that the wear resistance of the additively manufactured parts is absolutely comparable to injection moulded parts. Our tribologically optimised filaments are up to 50 times more abrasion-resistant than standard 3D print materials."

Related Content

For Coast Guard, AM Adoption Begins With “MacGyver-ish” Crew Members Who Are Using 3D Printing Already

AM suits the Coast Guard’s culture of shipboard problem-solving, says Surface Fleet AM lead. Here is how 3D printers on ships promise to deliver not just substantial cost savings but also an aid to crew capabilities and morale.
Chromatic RX-Flow 3D Printers for Reactive Extrusion Additive

RX-Flow printers are a low-cost option for manufacturers interested in testing and implementing industrial 3D printing with more durable, flexible materials than are available with FDM, SLA and other 3D printing technologies.
Xenia Develops 3DP Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites for FDM Printing, LSAM Production

Xenia’s 3DP materials are reinforced thermoplastic composites functionalized for use in any type of fused deposition modeling printer, pellet-based, for large-scale additive manufacturing production and high-precision production.