Emery Oleochemicals kicks off metal filament
For several years, the binder system of Emery Oleochemicals has been used in products for the 3D printing market and the company is now taking the next step by offering metal filament under the brand LOXIOL.
With this product range Emery Oleochemicals expands its existing business and opens up new markets.
The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process amazes with its low entry barriers, both in terms of the level of investment costs and in the development of know-how.
The filament is molten in the nozzle, which is precisely movable in all three dimensions and thus the material can be applied with pinpoint accuracy. This allows components to be manufactured additively layer by layer. Using a plastic filament, the product is now ready to use, using a metal filament, the printed part is still in green state (“green part”).
The binder must be partially dissolved from the green part; this is done via solvent extraction. The resulting brown part still requires thermal debinding of residual binder and sintering. This is done in the sintering furnace.
Metal Filament for Additive Manufacturing
Advantages of Metal Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
- Complicated powder management is completely eliminated ➔ High safety aspect for your employees
- 100 percent powder is converted to the final part (with support structures to be recycled)➔ Sustainable!
- Parts can be produced quickly and cost-efficiently
- Hollow parts possible, especially closed hollow parts ➔ Design freedom
- Investment is significantly lower compared to other metal additive manufacturing processes
- All sinterable powders possible ➔ Unlimited materials
LOXIOL Metal Filaments Portfolio & Market Applications
Emery’s new LOXIOL metal filaments portfolio is comprised of 5 materials; each will be available in diameters of 1.75mm and 2.85mm:
LOXIOL 316L
The parts exhibit high corrosion resistance, toughness, and ductility, as well as high acid resistance. This combination is ideal for a wide range of applications in aerospace, automotive, energy, jewelry, medical, shipbuilding and many other industries.
LOXIOL 17-4PH
The components made of LOXIOL 17-4PH material have high corrosion resistance combined with high strength. This combination is ideal for medical applications such as surgical instruments.
LOXIOL 718
The nickel chromium alloy is suitable for use with high temperatures and corrosive conditions. Components manufactured LOXIOL 718 have good tensile, fatigue, creep and fracture strength at temperatures up to 700°C, making them ideal for many high temperature applications such as gas turbine parts, medical instruments or parts for the power and process industries.
LOXIOL Copper
This high-purity copper offers good electrical and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
LOXIOL Ti6Al4V
TI6Al4V is a well-known light alloy, which is characterized by excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance combined with low weight and biocompatibility.
Working with our 3D printing partners, a variety of metal and ceramic parts have been 3D printed
Metal and ceramic parts depicting green parts (left side) and sintered parts (right side)
Sustainability benefits
Support structures from feedstock can be ground in the green state and reused (same for sprue in PIM) ➔ No waste
100 percent powder is converted to the final part ➔ Sustainability
In contrast to other debinding systems such as catalytic and thermal systems, the solvent used for debinding can be recycled ➔ Low emission
Solvent debinding employed is at least 3 times faster than other debinding systems such as thermal systems or other solvent systems ➔ Quicker time to customer
Technical benefits
Simple technology ➔ User-friendliness
All sinterable powders possible ➔ Unlimited materials
Standard printers with a modified print head can be used ➔ Better accessibility
Standard PIM powders can be used because powder flow properties are not critical ➔ Low material requirements
Hollow parts possible, especially closed hollow parts ➔ Design freedom
Deep level of understanding of modifying polymer/ powder rheology with additives ➔ Expertise
Support from prototyping via fused deposition modeling to mass production via PIM with the same type of binder system ➔ Reliability
Technical attributes over other binder systems such as superior green/ brown part strength and lower shrinkage ➔ Better part integrity
Customizable solutions designed to meet customer-specific needs
To learn more about Emery Oleochemicals’ new LOXIOL Metal Filament product line contact us today at additive-manufacturing@emeryoleo.com
More Information
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