Innofil3D, a Dutch3D materials manufacturer acquired by BASF2017年，为FFF 3D打印机推出了两个新的丝。这些材料之一，超级Z PCTG，是化学巨头制造的第一个静电放电（ESD）安全丝BASF. The second, Ultrafuse TPU 80A LF, is a tough and flexible material made for both bowden and direct drive extruders.
Both materials contribute to BASF’s growing “Ultra” series of 3D printer materials which includes Ultrasint, for PBF systems, and Ultracur3D for SLA. Ultrafuse is a brand of reinforced filaments developed to have properties suitable for functional prototyping and small series production of parts.
The Ultrafuse filament range from BASF and Innofil3D covers PA, TPU and PCTG polymers. Working with High Speed Extrusion (HSE) technology developerEssentium, BASF has also developed超快316LX, a metal-plastic composite filament that can be 3D printed on a desktop machine and sintered afterwards to make a metal part. In this latest release, BASF and Essentium have worked together again to produce the ESD safe Ultrafuse Z PCTG.
3D打印零件，用于容易爆炸的环境
超快Z PCTG is an amorphous copolyester developed specifically for electronic applications. In the official description provided by BASF, the material is specially suited to the fabrication of “handheld tools, general assembly fixtures for electronics, robotics and automation components,” and “parts for explosion proof environments.” It has a tensile strength (when 3D printed flat with infill lines parallel to testing direction) of 46 MPa, making its strong enough for lightly loaded fixtures. It demonstrates 35% elongation at break, and a notched impact strength of 74 J/m – significantly higher than comparable PETG. The material is non-marring, and promises to be easy to print, machine and finish. Smooth surface properties achievable in Ultrafuse Z PCTG help to prevent latent failures in end-use parts.
Essentium was brought in to help produce this filament due to its expertise in creating the Z range of ESD safe filaments. In order to maintain the mechanical and ESD dissipating properties of Ultrafuse Z PCTG, the filament should always be kept dry. BASF also recommends the material be stored between 15°C and 25°C in the filament’s originally sealed package.
Flexible material for open platform 3D printers
超快TPU 80A LF is a highly flexible material made to be printable on a wide range of open platform 3D printers with a heated bed. The recommended nozzle temperature for this filament is 233 – 240 °C, with a bed temperature of 50 – 80 °C. In terms of settings, the company recommends a print speed of between 18 and 25 mm/s.
Ultrafuse TPU 80A LF的拉伸强度（以平坦的Dogbone印刷）为22 MPa。同一样品中断时的应变为640％。在100％伸长时，材料显示了8 MPa的应力，在300％的13 MPa时显示。它具有良好的化学和耐磨性。根据Innofil3d Ultrafuse TPU 80A LF的说法，“ LF也是“旨在在Bowden型挤出机中使用的柔性细丝之一。”它的灵活性和韧性使其适合用来代替弹簧。它也可用于制作密封，垫圈，塞子，抽吸杯，保险杠，振动吸收器和隔热架。Innofil3D指出：“市场上没有其他细丝可以符合这种极其灵活的灯丝的可打印性。”
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Featured image shows Ultrafuse TPU 80A LF and a 3D printed part. Photo via Innofil3D
