Braskem Expands Additive Manufacturing Portfolio with 3D Printing Filaments Made of Polyethylene and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene

Braskem, the Americas' largest manufacturer of polyolefins and a market leader and pioneer in industrial-scale biopolymer production, announced the addition of polyethylene (PE) and glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) filaments to its 3D printing product portfolio. Braskem's PE and glass fiber reinforced PP filaments are easier to print, exhibit less warpage, exhibit minimum shrinkage, and exhibit superior interlayer adhesion compared to other comparable products on the market.

Jason Vagnozzi, Braskem Commercial Director of Additive Manufacturing, stated, "Braskem continues to evolve its product portfolio for the rapidly growing 3D printing market. Braskem's polypropylene and polyethylene products have superior printing capabilities with minimum warpage and are the ideal solution for 3D printing. Unlike other materials on the market, Braskem's PE is perfect for packaging and consumer applications and can be used anywhere HDPE would normally be used, while our new glass fiber reinforced polypropylene has added strength and durability which makes it a great solution for automotive, aerospace, medical, robotic, and industrial applications. At Braskem, our team strives every day to innovate and expand our portfolio of additive manufacturing products to facilitate the growth of our clients."

PP 3D Printing Filament Reinforced with Glass Fiber (FL500PP-GF)

FL500PP-GF glass fiber reinforced polypropylene filament is an additive manufacturing-specific co-polymer that contains glass fiber for increased strength and durability. This formulation is optimized for printability, dimension stability, and surface polish, while also minimizing warpage and bed adhesion concerns.

Applications
• Applications in automotive, aerospace, medicine, robotics, and industry
• Prototyping in a short period of time and mass customization
• Parts are designed to be lightweight and rigid.
• Compatible with Ultimaker, Creality, and comparable hardware

Features
• Superior tenacity and stiffness
• Lightweight and low density
• Excellent finish on the surface
• Warpage is minimal and dimensional stability is excellent.
• Available in the following colors: black
• Diameters available: 2.85mm, 1.75mm

Benefits
• There is no drying necessary.
• Chemical resistance is exceptional.
• No need for a heated chamber
• Excellent adherence to the bed
• Profiles for printing are now available on the Ultimaker Cura Marketplace.

Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene filaments have a lower density than other plastics, making them up to 30% lighter and three times stiffer than conventional PLA. Additionally, unlike other materials such as nylon, polypropylene filaments do not require drying prior to printing, making them more efficient to deal with. These characteristics, together with polypropylene's recyclability, make it an appealing material for a variety of 3D printing and additive manufacturing applications. Braskem filaments are user-friendly, making them ideal for automotive, aerospace, medical, packaging, and other consumer applications.

3D Printing Filament Made of Polyethylene (FL300PE)

FL300PE is a 100% polyethylene filament that is easy to print, lightweight, and extremely resistant to moisture and chemicals. This filament is well-suited for packaging, prototyping, industrial, and consumer goods applications. FL300PE is a good alternative to standard HDPE resins in many applications.

Applications
• Applications in packaging, consumer goods, and industry
• Prototyping in a short period of time and mass customisation
• Compatibility with Ultimaker, Creality, and other comparable machines

Features
• Lightweight and low density
• Excellent finish on the surface
• Warpage is minimal and dimensional stability is excellent.
• White is a color option.
• Diameters available: 2.85mm, 1.75 mm

Benefits
• There is no drying necessary.
• Chemical resistance is exceptional.
• No need for a heated chamber
• Excellent adherence to the bed
• Profiles for printing are now available on the Ultimaker Cura Marketplace.

Historically, polyethylene filaments have been difficult to print and prone to warpage and shrinking. Braskem has taken a new look at polyethylene and produced a filament made entirely of HDPE that is optimized for 3D printing applications. Braskem's PE filaments are easy to print, lightweight, recyclable, and extremely resistant to moisture and chemicals. This filament is well-suited for packaging, fast prototyping, industrial, and consumer goods applications.