PPS nPOWER 3NTR

One of the materials in the portfolio of the Italian filament and industrial 3D printer manufacturer 3NTR is the nPOWER filament. It is a PPS-based polymer compound created especially to meet all harsh and aggressive chemical environments where standard materials like PLA would melt, burn or dissolve. Apart from being resistant to most chemical compounds (such as sulphuric acid, alcohols, ketones, esters, liquid ammonia) if cured, the nPOWER filament also has self-extinguishing properties (compliant with the UL94 V0 norm but not certified) and handles working temperatures of 200 ºC for prolonged periods of time. The 3NTR nPOWER filament can be used to 3D print complex pieces with the help of compatible breakaway support filaments.

Image 1: A piece 3D printed with the 3NTR nPOWER filament. Source: 3NTR.

The 3NTR nPOWER filament has as its base PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), a rigid and opaque polymer. PPS is a semi-crystalline high performance engineering thermoplastic with a range of very unique properties. PPS is inherently flame resistant, and even has electrical insulation properties. Apart from that, PPS is strong, rigid, resistant to degradation, fatigue and creep (deformation by stress), even in humid conditions and high temperatures - it melts at 280 ºC but can operate at 200 ºC for long periods of time and for short term temperatures of around 260 ºC. An interesting quality of PPS is that it makes a metallic sound when hit.

Image 2: A fan for corrosive gases and a hot air duct 3D printed with the nPOWER filament by 3NTR. Source: 3NTR.

All these properties make the 3NTR nPOWER filament apt for very versatile applications where PPS is most appreciated thanks to its temperature resistance combined with electrical insulation, for example as an alternative to metals and thermosets in automotive parts (exhaust gas return valves, carburettor components, ignition plates) or in the manufacturing of electronics (relay components, motor housings, thermostat parts, bulb sockets). PPS is also frequently used in cooking appliances and sterilisable equipment for medicine, dentistry and laboratories.

Image 3: A part 3D printed with the nPOWER filament by 3NTR and a support filament. Source: 3NTR.

3NTR nPOWER is an ideal solution for the manufacturing of parts that need to perform well in demanding thermal and electrical conditions in various industries, including substitutes for metal parts normally used in those environments. The 3NTR nPOWER filament can be 3D easily 3D printed by both beginners as well as advanced users in the industrial context.