Overview
3D Systems’ High Temperature Materials
Many plastics simply melt or lose strength at higher temperatures, making many polymers unsuitable for applications in hot environments.
3D Systems has a range of plastics for their SLS, MJP and Figure 4 printer systems that are designed to function in elevated temperatures. Plastics suitable for high temperature applications tend to have higher melting points (if thermoplastic) and comparatively high values of HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature), meaning that they retain their shape better in higher temperatures than plastics with lower HDT values.
Other plastics have properties such as low flammability, smoke and toxicity ratings making them suitable for use in high temperature environments.
In this article we will take a look at the various high temperature plastics available for 3D Systems printers, and what makes each plastic unique.
DuraForm ProX PA
Tough & Durable / Polypropylene-like
DuraForm ProX PA (SLS) is a polyamide (Nylon 12) feedstock with all the properties you’d expect from a rugged Nylon. This makes it perfect for high quality prototypes and low volume end use parts alike.
DuraForm ProX PA is engineered for long-term environmental stability of mechanical properties, and is tested for up to 8 years indoor and 1.5 years outdoor use, per ASTM methods.
Vapor-honed DuraForm ProX PA parts display an enhanced, smooth surface finish, more comparable to injection molded plastic parts. In addition, vapor honing helps to seal the porous surface of SLS parts, making them suitable for air and water tight applications.
This material is fine-tuned for use with the following 3D Systems’ SLS printers: ProX SLS 6100, SLS 380
View Details- - Long-term stability of mechanical properties
- - Balanced mechanical properties and processability
- - Build prototypes that withstand functional testing
- - Produce durable end-use parts without tooling
Mechanical & Thermal – DuraForm ProX PA (SLS) | ||
Density | ASTM D792 | 0.95 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 48 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 2100 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 176 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 82 °C |
CTE -20 to 70°C | ASTM E831 | 91 ppm/°C |
CTE 95 to 180°C | ASTM E831 | 201 ppm/°C |
Specific Heat Capacity | ASTM E1269 | 1.55 J/g-°C |
Thermal Conductivity | ASTM E1530 | 0.21 W/m-K |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
DuraForm ProX AF+
High stiffness aluminum-filled nylon
DuraForm ProX AF+ (SLS) is an aluminum filled Nylon plastic that delivers consistent mechanical properties, high stiffness to weight ratio, and an excellent metallic surface finish.
This material is fine-tuned for use with the following 3D Systems’ SLS printer: ProX SLS 6100
View Details- - Aesthetic metallic surface finish directly off the printer
- - Complex designs can have a metallic look with functional strength at an affordable cost
- - Excellent stiffness to weight ratio
- - Lower cost per part due to higher recyclability
Mechanical & Thermal – DuraForm ProX AF+ (SLS) | ||
Density | ASTM D792 | 1.31 g/cc |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 37 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 4340 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 182 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 174 °C |
CTE 0 to 145°C | ASTM E831 | 145 μm/m-ºC |
Specific Heat Capacity | ASTM E1269 | 1.44 J/g-°C |
Thermal Conductivity | ASTM E1530 | 0.42 W/m-K |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
DuraForm ProX GF
Glass-filled engineering plastic
DuraForm ProX GF (SLS) is a glass-filled Nylon 12 with improved thermal resistance versus unfilled materials. It offers the best in class in terms of rigidity and stiffness, and an excellent surface finish and resolution.
This material is fine-tuned for use with the following 3D Systems’ SLS printer: ProX SLS 6100
View Details- - Replace molded and CNC-machined glass and mineral-filled
- - Plastic articles for short-run production
- - Fuel and oil resistance make it perfect for automotive and aerospace applications
- - Easy to process
Mechanical & Thermal – DuraForm ProX GF (SLS) | ||
Density | ASTM D792 | 1.49 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 45 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 3720 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 180 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 129 °C |
CTE 0-50 °C | ASTM E831 | 85.3 µm/m-°C |
CTE 85-145 °C | ASTM E831 | 173.7 µm/m-°C |
Specific Heat Capacity | ASTM E1269 | 1.26 J/g-°C |
Thermal Conductivity | ASTM E1530 | 0.33 W/m-K |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
DuraForm ProX HST Composite
Fiber-reinforced engineering plastic
DuraForm ProX HST Composite (SLS) is a high temperature composite material with high stiffness and thermal resistance. The proprietary mineral-filled composite offers exceptional rigidity coupled with elevated temperature resistance.
This material is fine-tuned for use with the following 3D Systems’ SLS printers: ProX SLS 6100, SLS 380
View Details- - Functional prototypes can be tested in “real life” environments
- - Complex end-use parts can be economically manufactured in low-to-medium volumes
- - Excels in load-bearing applications at higher temperatures
Mechanical & Thermal – DuraForm ProX HST Composite (SLS) | ||
Density | – | 1.12 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 44 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 4123 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 183 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 171 °C |
CTE 0-50 °C | ASTM E831 | 153.4 µm/m-°C |
CTE 85-145 °C | ASTM E831 | 330.4 µm/m-°C |
Thermal Conductivity | ASTM E1530 | 0.29 W/m-K |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
VisiJet M2R-TN
High modulus and heat resistance
VisiJet M2R-TN (MJP) is a general purpose MJP material with a high modulus and heat resistance. It comes in an opaque tan finish making it ideal for high contrast visualisation of prototypes.
This VisiJet material is fine-tuned for use with 3D Systems’ ProJet 2500 and 2500 Plus MJP printers.
View DetailsMechanical & Thermal – VisiJet M2R-TN (MJP) | ||
Density @ 20°C | – | 1.16 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 60-70 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 2500-3000 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 71 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 61 °C |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
VisiJet M2S-HT90
High temperature & translucent
VisiJet M2S-HT90 (MJP) is a strong and transparent / translucent material ideal for applications requiring temperature resistance and/or biocompatibility. It is well suited for rapid tooling, functional prototyping in warm environments, and medical devices with fine features and internal structures.
This VisiJet material is fine-tuned for use with 3D Systems’ ProJet 2500 Plus MJP printer running in UHD mode.
View Details- - Stable parts in warm environments
- - Watertightness for evaluation of fluid flow performance
- - Excellent visualization for parts requiring validation of internal features
- - Capable of meeting USP Class VI standards for biocompatibility
Mechanical & Thermal – VisiJet M2S-HT90 (MJP) | ||
Density @ 20°C | – | 1.15 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 70-80 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 2500-3000 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 90-100 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 80-90 °C |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
VisiJet M2S-HT250
High temperature & translucent
The VisiJet M2S-HT250 (MJP) material is a high temperature biocompatible transparent / translucent plastic that is useful for a range of applications in the domain of high temperature fluid visualisation. It features the best-in-class HDT meaning this MJP material is capable of working in temperatures of up to 250°C.
This VisiJet material is fine-tuned for use with 3D Systems’ ProJet 2500 and 2500 Plus MJP printers.
View Details- - Highest thermal resistance in its class
- - Clear enough to visualize internal features and flow
- - High fidelity fine features and sharp edges
- - Smooth surface quality
- - UL94 HB flammability test standards
- - USP Class VI certified for biocompatibility
Mechanical & Thermal – VisiJet M2S-HT250 (MJP) | ||
Density @ 20°C | – | 1.15 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 44 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 4123 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | 250 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 104 °C |
UL Flammability Rating | UL94 | HB |
Figure 4 High Temp 150°C FR Black
High temperature & flame-retardant
Figure 4 High Temp 150°C FR Black is a high temperature and flame-retardant plastic with excellent smoke and toxicity ratings, and FAR 25.853(a) flammability ratings suitable for aerospace applications.
This material is fine-tuned for use with 3D Systems’ Figure 4 printers.
View Details- - Self-extinguishing, flame-retardant material
- - Halogen-free
- - High heat deflection temperature for demanding applications
- - No secondary thermal cure required
- - Excellent surface quality, accuracy & repeatability
- - Capable of plating and painting
Mechanical & Thermal – High Temp 150°C FR Black (Figure 4 ) | ||
Solid Density | ASTM D792 | 1.29 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 58 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 2600 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | >150 C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | 89 C |
CTE below Tg | ASTM E831 | 98 ppm/C |
CTE above Tg | ASTM E831 | 158 ppm/C |
Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) | UL 746C | 750C @ 2mm, 3mm |
Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI) | UL 746C | 960C @ 2mm, 3mm |
UL Flammability | UL94 | V0 @2mm, 3mm |
Figure 4 HI TEMP 300-AMB
High temperature
Figure 4 HI TEMP 300-AMB is a plastic with very high thermal-resistance (HDT >300 °C), and it is available in translucent amber colour making it perfect for high-temp flow visualisation tasks.
This material is fine-tuned for use with 3D Systems’ Figure 4 printers.
View Details- - Production-grade material
- - High heat resistance for testing and use in high heat environments
- - No secondary thermal post-cure required
- - Excellent visualization for parts requiring evaluation of internal features and fluid flow performance
Mechanical & Thermal – HI TEMP 300-AMB (Figure 4 ) | ||
Solid Density | ASTM D792 | 1.33 g/cm³ |
Tensile Strength Ultimate | ASTM D638 Type I | 77 MPa |
Tensile Modulus | ASTM D638 Type I | 4100 MPa |
HDT @ 0.455 MPa | ASTM D648 | >300 °C |
HDT @ 1.82 MPa | ASTM D648 | >300 °C |
CTE 0-110C | ASTM E831 | 69 ppm/°C |
CTE 165-250C | ASTM E831 | 58 ppm/°C |
UL Flammability Rating UL94 | HB | HB |