Press release
Innovations
May 24, 2021

Evonik and Farsoon strengthen collaboration on 3D printing materials with higher temperature resistance

The specialty chemicals company Evonik and China's largest SLS 3D printer manufacturer Farsoon are strengthening their collaboration in powder-based 3D printing.

Marl/Hunan. The specialty chemicals company Evonik and China's largest SLS 3D printer manufacturer Farsoon are strengthening their collaboration in powder-based 3D printing. Both companies aim to open up market access to new large-scale industrial applications in the higher temperature range. Evonik is contributing its expertise in polymer-based 3D printing materials and Farsoon is bringing its expertise inpowder-based 3D printers to the joint effort. As a part of this, the specialty chemicals company has already successfully tested the ready-to-use polymer powder INFINAM® PA 6005 P (polyamide 613) with higher temperature resistance on Farsoon's ST252P and HT403P series machines. The development of new formulations is underway.

INFINAM® - Materials for infinite 3D applications

"Close collaboration between material and machine manufacturers is essential to open up new 3D applications. The results of our test series are clear: INFINAM® PA 6005 P with its higher melting point of 215 °C can not only be excellently processed on Farsoon's ST252P and HT403P machines, but also recycled. We used our synergies to develop a market-ready system solution," says Wolfgang Diekmann, Director Research, Development & Innovation Additive Manufacturing at Evonik.

INFINAM® PA 6005 P is a high-performance powder from Evonik's polyamide 6 series. The material has high mechanical strength, high chemical and temperature resistance, and low water absorption - below 3 percent. The latter has a positive effect on processability in the 3D printing process and the dimensional stability of the printed component. The objects printed from the PA 613 powder material impress with high stiffness and mechanical stability, even in thin-walled constructions.

Technology synergies open up new applications

Evonik has successfully tested its high-temperature resistant ready-to-use powder material INFINAM® PA 6005 P (polyamide 613) on Farsoon's ST252P series machines.

Farsoon has manufactured many parts for functional testing at its headquarters in Changsha, China such as a fan that shows excellent dimensional stability while maintaining high stiffness combined with high elasticity.

Farsoon's machines offer configuration options that can reach process chamber temperatures of up to 220 °C (HT) or up to 280 °C (ST). Improved thermal controls, temperature-protected components and open parameters provide customers with the ability to process high-performance polymers such as Evonik's PA 613 with excellence. The machines are equipped with high-speed scanners and powerful lasers. The high productivity of component production increasingly enables series applications.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer further opportunities to the additive manufacturing market by proactively supporting new applications in the higher temperature range," says Dr. Dirk Simon, Managing Director of Farsoon Europe GmbH and responsible for polymer material topics in Farsoon's Global Management Team. "The excellent compatibility of our SLS machines with Evonik's polymer powders, as well as the very interesting property profile of PA 613 components, form important foundations for our customers' market success."

Polymer powders with excellent flow properties

The new polymer powder in Evonik's polyamide 6 series with its nearly round grain shape enables excellent flowability and application properties, making it suitable for all powder-based 3D printing technologies. A proprietary procedure is employed to produce the high-temperature material at the company’s Marl site.

Evonik bundles its expertise in 3D printing in the groups’ additive manufacturing innovation growth field. The strategic focus is on the development and production of new high-performance materials for all major polymer-based 3D printing technologies. In this context, Evonik has organized its product range under the new INFINAM® brand and is driving forward 3D printing as a large-scale industrial manufacturing technology along the entire value chain.

About Farsoon

Farsoon Technologies, founded in 2009 in China, is a system supplier of industrial grade plastic laser sintering and metal laser melting systems. Farsoon has developed a team of world-class experts with competencies in electrical/mechanical engineering, laser, scanning and optics, thermal controls, as well as material development and applications engineering. As a globally diverse company, Farsoon was founded with the clear vision and core commitment to creating open platform systems which will give the industry the freedom to innovate and expand the implementation of additive manufacturing in the global product's marketplace.

Learning from the market about customer needs, Farsoon has moved to address the need for higher levels of productivity, improved feature details, and enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility. Farsoon’s latest innovations like the Continuous Additive Manufacturing Solutions (CAMS) and the very accurate and ultra-fast Flight™ Technology stand for highest production rates and real industrial use of Additive Manufacturing.

Farsoon´s subsidiary FARSOON Europe GmbH (Stuttgart, Germany) provide the whole range of machine portfolio as well as local service and maintenance activities.

About Evonik

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €12.2 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.91 billion in 2020. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. About 33,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

About Smart Materials

The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of €3.24 billion in 2020 with about 7,900 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.