Contents
We have expanded our product portfolio to include polypropylene (PP) in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).
Among the numerous printing processes that we at 3D Activation offer you, selective laser sintering (SLS printing) is by far the most popular among our customers. This is by no means a surprise either. After all, it is precisely this 3D printing process that convinces with a particularly favorable price-performance ratio. In addition, there is a manageable amount of time and a particularly large range of possible options post-treatments (finishes).
The SLS printing process was developed in 1988 by Carl Deckard.
Of course, we take the popularity of SLS as an incentive to constantly expand our product portfolio, especially in this area. In addition to numerous polyamide (PA) variants, the rubber-like material TPU has already been in our range.
Today we would like to present our latest SLS material, polypropylene, or PP for short, in more detail.
What is PP exactly?
From a chemical point of view, polypropylene (PP) is a semi-crystalline and non-polar thermoplastic. It belongs to the group of polyolefins and is obtained by chain polymerisation of propene.
PP was first synthesized in 1954, at the same time by Karl Rehn and Guilio Natta (1903-79). In 1957, PP synthesis finally began on a large scale. So in 2017 we celebrated the 60th anniversary of PP processing.
PP in 3D printing
The chemical and processing properties of PP are very similar to those of the classic 3D printing materials ABS and PA. These are also referred to as engineering plastics. Therefore, with the advent of additive manufacturing, it was natural to use this material as well. Especially since there is that PP significantly cheaper can be produced.
For many companies, the PP market launch also brought with it the special advantage that they can have their prototypes manufactured directly from the material for series production that is planned at a later date.
Another advantage of PP is that this plastic is food safe is classified, so it can be used for plates, cups, glasses or food boxes without any problems. After all, temperature resistance and chemical resistance are among the great strengths of polypropylene. This can also be printed with great detail in filigree structures.
On our website you will find all the information about our materials and printing processes, which we of course update and expand on an ongoing basis.
To data sheet PP