Carbodeon and Tiamet3D are looking to bring the first nano-diamond laced 3D printer filaments to the market. The 2 companies have jointly-patented an exciting new technology that significantly improves the mechanical and thermal properties of thermoplastic filaments. The resulting materials, called uDiamond, boast a 100% tensile strength increase.
Outside of inventing new thermoplastic materials, companies are exploring multiple different ways of strengthening and improving materials. One such way is to line filaments with varying materials to boost their characteristics. Improved-performance thermoplastics have applications in every manufacturing field, particularly in electronics and automotive.
As part of the joint-agreement Carbodeon provides the nanodiamond materials and Tiamet 3D processes them into the filaments. The first line of filaments produced by the two companies will be PLA-based. They hope to branch out to high-performance thermoplastics in the near future.
Advantages of uDiamond Nanodiamond-Enhanced Filaments
Diamond-based and similar nanoparticles have been a mainstay in manufacturing for centuries. Aside from improving thermal management, conductivity and tensile strength of the base polymer, nanodiamonds can increase the glass transition temperature of the end product or component to achieve more robust and reliable polymer products, suitable for more challenging environments.
“By joining forces we’ve already developed filaments with a 100 percent increase in tensile strength, improved printability, and better thermal properties,” said Mr Reid Larson, CEO of Tiamet 3D. “Printing also runs more quickly and more reliably with the addition of Carbodeon polymer-tailored nanodiamonds.”
“Nanodiamonds offer the potential to make 3D-printed components that perform as well as or better than comparable injection moulded components, but with massive cost reductions and production speed improvements, especially for prototype, on-demand and short run production,” said Carbodeon CEO Dr Vesa Myllymäki.
Carbodeon produces the material under the name uDiamond. The material also opens up a lot of possibilities beyond just PLA. The venture could also serve as a precursor to 3D printing sol-gels, which could potentially have applications in medical science and fiber-optics production.
