EOS launches TPU 1301 material for flexible 3D printed parts

German additive manufacturing leader EOS has expanded its polymer material portfolio with the launch of a new flexible EOS TPU 1301 powder optimised for industrial 3D printing. The company, which specialises in both polymer and metal laser-based printing processes, says the material marks a significant step in the path to 3D printing for mass production due to TPU's current application in industries such as automotive and manufacture of consumer-facing products. TPU offers resilience, good hydrolysis resistance, and high UV-stability and is already being used in applications that demand elastomeric properties or easy to process capabilities. To achieve the flexibility and corresponding damping levels needed for different applications, EOS says the material's properties can be adjusted via structural design or by customising build process parameters.