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Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic obtained by the polymerization of propylene. Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile, semi-transparent, lightweight, recyclable and with good organoleptic properties material.
There have been many attempts to make filaments of polypropylene although never have come to fruition because of the difficulty of printing of this material. Common filaments PP (polypropylene) have a high warping effect making it a plastic virtually impossible to print on a 3D printer. Because of this problem "3D Smart Materials" the Spanish company has been developing the new filament of polypropylene PP Smartfil which is a PP filament with additives especially in order to improve its adherence to the printing surface, thus reducing the warping effect. In order to completely eliminate the warping effect and perform 3D printing without any problem with PP Smarfil, it's recommended to use the Smart Stick adhesive.
The printed pieces with polypropylene PP filament Smartfil offer flexibility, excellent mechanical and chemical resistance and excellent resistance to bending that make it ideal for a large number of industrial applications. It also provides a good vapor barrier and has good processability as it is the plastic material with lower specific weight as this is 0.90 g/cm3 (Ideal to reduce weight parts and components applied to the world of automotive and aeronautics).
Moreover, the parts made of polypropylene filament noted for their abrasion resistance and their ability to absorb shock (impact resistance), resistance to fatigue (Hence it is used in hinges) and further comprises a relative stiffness and flexibility. In contrast, one major drawback is their sensitivity to UV. While there is already a material 3D printing to offset this weakness of most plastics it is the ASA filament.
Polypropylene is used today in many varied uses; Since manufacturing of packaging, automotive, textile, furniture, medicine, plumbing, etc.
Although the polypropylene as the material is recognized by the FDA (Food contact), polypropylene filament Smartfil is not, because when making the additive for better printing properties, and also to contact the extruders stops fulfill this property does meet the generic material.
General information |
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Material | PP |
Format | 50 g / 700 g |
Density | (ISO 1183) 0.9 g/cm³ |
Filament diameter | 1.75 / 2.85 mm |
Filament tolerance | (Ø 1.75 mm) ± 0.03 mm / (Ø 2.85 mm) ± 0.05 mm |
Filament length | (Ø 1.75 mm - 0.7 Kg) ± 323 m / (Ø 2.85 mm - 0.7 Kg) ± 122 m |
Printing properties |
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Printing temperature | ± 220 ºC |
Print bed temperature | 60 - 100 ºC |
Chamber temperature | ✗ |
Cooling fan | ✓ |
Recommended printing speed | - mm/s |
Mechanical properties |
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Izod impact strength | (ASTM D256) 85.4 KJ/m² |
Elongation at break | 479 % |
Tensile strength | (ASTM D638) 21 MPa |
Tensile modulus | (ISO 6721) 444 MPa |
Flexural strength | (ISO 178) 64 MPa |
Flexural modulus | 392 MPa |
Surface hardness | Rockwell 80 |
Thermal properties |
|
Melting temperature | 215 ºC |
Softening temperature | (ISO 306) 107 ºC |
Specific properties |
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Transparency | - |
Chemical resistance | ✓ |
Other |
|
HS Code | 3916.9 |
Spool diameter (outer) | 200 mm |
Spool diameter (inner hole) | 55 mm |
Spool width | 50 mm |
Polypropylene filaments never have borne fruit common due to the difficulty of printing of this material (mainly by the warping effect present). While the new filament developed by the Spanish "3D Smart Materials" company has been developing the new strand of polypropylene PP Smartfil (1.75mm or 2,85mm) which is a PP filament whit additive especially in order to improve adherence to the printing surface, thus reducing the warping effect.
The main use detailed tips for obtaining good printing results:
- Printing temperature: a temperature print 220ºC is recommended since at temperatures above this material would be too fluid and worsen the quality of printed pieces while below 220ºC polypropylene filament would be extruded with much difficulty.
- Bed temperature: This filament Smartfil Polypropylene is especially additivated to prevent contractions / warping effect on the basis of the pieces. Therefore, it will take a temperature in bed 65/70ºC. Do not exceed this temperature and this excess would you showed greater contractions in the material.
- Brim: Using brim (generation extra piece to increase contact surface edge) when printing and the first contact layer is low thickness to force contact between the extruded material and the base is encouraged.
- Print area: You only get the pieces adhere to the base using sealing tape PP on the hot bed. The PP has a great affinity with himself, so it is the best method to obtain high adhesion between the material and the base (Notice:. When the sealing tape PP adhere to the warm bed, use the face paste upside down, because the face is composed of PP is higher and which is adhere well polypropylene filament). Therefore should forget the use of paint or the like for bonding this material.
- 4.1. Polypropylene tape: It is only possible to adhere the pieces to the base by using a PP tape on the hot bed. The PP has a great affinity with itself, so it is the best method to obtain great adherence between the material and the base. (Note: When the PP tape is attached to the warm bed, the face must be used. stick upside down, since the face that is composed of PP is the top and is the one that will adhere well to the polypropylene filament). It is more uncomfortable to use than Smart Stick liquid, although in cases where it can not be applied on a glass the Smart tick is the only feasible option. The tape should be applied with a spatula to avoid air bubbles that will leave a mark on the final piece.
- 4.2. Smart Stick Liquid Adhesive (RECOMMENDED): It is the solution developed specifically to achieve the best adhesion to the base of the Polypropylene filament. The ideal operating temperature of Smart Stick is 70-90 °C. In impressions where a great adhesion is required it is recommended to increase the base temperature between 90-100ºC for the first layer in order to achieve a great adherence between the material and the adhesive and later reduce that temperature to 70ºC so that increase the structural capacity of the adhesive.