New Arkema resins focus on 3D printing, solid-surface applications

 

Editor’s note: CompositesWorld received several new product and technology announcements ahead of JEC World 2020, which had been scheduled for March 3-5. Although that exhibition was postponed to May, CW is now publishing the announcements we received. This is one of them.

 

The Arkema Group (King of Prussia, Pa., U.S.) is showcasing its advanced materials and new solutions for increasingly effective composites developed to meet changing 3D production technologies in the construction, transportation, wind and sporting goods sectors.

Rapid digital development is substantially changing the way in which products are designed and manufactured in many sectors. Always on the cutting edge of innovation, Arkema works with partners who are leaders in 3D creation and design to enrich its offer of high-performance materials, 3D Printing Solutions by Arkema, and develop new supply chains.

Arkema recently announced two new partnerships and is contributing to the development of completely integrated digital manufacturing platforms, thanks to strengthened collaboration around cutting-edge materials and innovative solutions.

A partnership between Continuous Composites (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.) and Sartomer, a subsidiary of Arkema, aims to combine Continuous Composites’ patented Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D ) technology with Sartomer’s N3xtDimension photocure resins. The company is presenting this new generation of composites at JEC World 2020 with two conferences at JEC World 2020 at its booth: March 3 at 2:00 p.m., and March 4 at 11:00 a.m.

With it high-performance PEKK Kepstan polymer, Arkema has partnered with 9T Labs (Zurich, Switzerland), a startup specializing in 3D printing of thermoplastic composites. 9T Labs developed a technology that automates the manufacture of composites using additive manufacturing (AM) as well as advanced software algorithms. The company is presenting this new generation of composites at JEC World 2020 with two conferences at JEC World 2020 at its booth: March 3 at 3:00 p.m., and March 5 at 10:00 a.m.

Launching Elium C445 resin

In addition, Arkema offers a range of thermoplastic matrices and photocure resins with properties that accelerate composite development. The Group also has additives to improve the performance of thermoset composites and adhesives for composite part assembly.

The flagship product from its range of thermoplastic matrices, Elium resin — a liquid thermoplastic resin for making recyclable composite parts — uses the same conventional thermosetting resin transformation technologies, but can also be transformed at room temperature. The mechanical properties of the parts obtained are comparable to thermosets.

At JEC World 2020, Arkema is launching its new Elium C445 resin for solid-surface applications. It is a liquid acrylic resin specifically adapted for room temperature casting of large objects. It is formulated to receive high mineral filler rates while maintaining high water, thermal shock and scratch resistance. First achievements with this resin are presented at the booth.

Additional product offerings include Sartomer’s Sarbio acrylate- and methacrylate-based advanced photocure and bio-sourced liquid resins, and Sartomer’s M Cure products, which are reactive diluents and crosslinkers for 2K epoxy/amine systems.

Arkema’s offer also includes a range of semi-finished products in the form of high-performance PEKK Kepstan, PVDF Kynar and PA 11 Rilsan thermoplastic-resin-coated carbon-fiber unidirectional tapes (Rilsan Matrix tapes):

• PVDF Kynar thermoplastic resin is said to have excellent mechanical properties, as well as strong corrosion and fire resistance.
• PEKK Kepstan is said to have exceptional impact, heat and aggressive chemical product resistance.
• Rilsan bio-sourced high-performance polyamide provides durability, flexibility, and chemical- and mechanical-resistant solutions.

Additives and adhesives round out Arkema’s offer for the composite market, including:

• Clearstrength impact modifiers
• Nanostrength acrylic block copolymers
• Graphistrength carbon nanotubes
• Ultra-fine Orgasol polyamide powders
• Luperox organic peroxides