BASF Ultrasint TPU 88A

Ultrasint TPU 88A

Ultrasint TPU 88A is a highly processable 3D printing powder by BASF, compatible with many open source SLS 3D printers on the market, such as:

• The P1000 / P100X 3D printers by Prodways (open parameter kit required).
• The P1xx and P3xx / P7xx 3D printers by EOS (open parameter kit required).
• The Sinterstations / Vanguard / sPro 60 3D printers by 3D Systems.
• The MfgPro230 xS 3D printer by XYZprinting.
• The HT403P / HT/ST25xP and SS403P / eForm 3D printers by Farsoon.

3D printing with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder ensures obtaining parts with high flexibility (Shore 88 A), excellent shock absorption, great energy return as well as excellent surface quality and high level of detail.

Image 1: Pipes 3D printed with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder. Source: BASF.

Another benefit of working with this material is that it allows for over 80 % of powder to be reused, which leads to enormous material savings, efficiency and rentability. Furthermore, Ultrasint TPU 88A is very easy and stable to process on any PBF (Powder Bed Fusion) equipment, with low to no smoke emissions during printing.

Lattice structures

The possibility to create lattice structures with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder unlocks the potential of high-performance materials for any application. With the help of Ultrasim Virtual Engineering & Simulation, customized lattices can be engineered to have specific mechanical properties or for precision performance such as cushioning, energy absorption, foam-like response or energy return.

Image 2: High quality lattice structures can be 3D printed with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder. Source: BASF.

Introducing internal lattices (or thinner walls/hollowing) into the design also allows to obtain softer parts with reduced weight and lower production costs. Lattice design with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder can be done with the help of the Ultrasim 3D Lattice engine.

Post-processing

Parts 3D printed with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder have a stable white color and a powdery feel. While this finish is adequate for functional prototypes and non-visible parts, consumer-facing parts may require post-processing. The Ultrasint TPU 88A powder allows for chemical smoothing, coating or dyeing.

Chemical smoothing will improve material performance while enhancing the appeal, durability, surface roughness and overall quality. This process uses a chemical vapor that smooths the surface of the part, giving a look and feel comparable to injection molding.

Image 3: Parts 3D printed with Ultrasint TPU 88A can be chemically smoothed, coated or dyed. Source: BASF.

Applying a coat of Ultracur3D Coat F+, with a layer of the Ultracur3D Hardener F+ for durability, is a dyeing method compatible with Ultrasint TPU 88A. This coating is a waterborn 2k-basecoat designed especially for coating parts 3D printed with flexible and elastic materials. It can be applied by spraying or dipping, and it gives the coated parts a smooth consistent finish with no loss of dimensional accuracy. Liquid dyeing of parts 3D printed with Ultrasint TPU 88A will ensure that color even reaches all surfaces of the parts including small cavities, lattices and hollowed parts.

Versatility of uses

Thanks to its advanced properties and high processability, the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder is especially suitable for low-to-mid-volume manufacturing in series in sectors such as automotive, transport, industrial, medical, sports, etc.

Video 1: The 3D printing workflow with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder. Source: BASF.

Some applications where parts 3D printed with the Ultrasint TPU 88A powder would give high performance are flexible lattice structures, tools, grippers and pipes, car interior components, footwear, sports protection equipment as well as orthopedics (Ultrasint TPU 88A is safe for contact with skin, as shown in cytotoxicity testing, in-vitro skin irritation testing and in-vivo sensitisation testing).

Image 4: Ultrasint TPU 88A use cases. Source: BASF.

Some great real-life example of the TPU 88A's application are very flexible and yet fully functional custom car interior elements for a Citroën concept vehicle or a highly customized shoe last. In the first case, the parts were also coated with the Ultracur3D Coat F+.