Filamet PYREX (borosilicate glass)

Filamet™ Pyrex is a filament developed by The Virtual Foundry (TVF), a pioneer in the development of filaments that, with a post-processing process using sintering, allow us to obtain completely metallic or ceramic parts, while maintaining the natural properties of the materials.

Filamet™ Pyrex is a filament composed of 73% borosilicate glass powder and the rest PLA, the first glass filament developed by The Virtual Foundry.

This filament uses the renowned Pyrex glass, a tempered borosilicate glass that is noted for its low thermal expansion, which makes it resistant to temperatures of between -40°C and 600°C and thermal shock of up to 220°C. Although this glass is known for its applications in oven-safe cookware, its main application is in the scientific and industrial field, such as the manufacture of laboratory glassware or the production of mirrors for telescopes. Pyrex glass is composed of 80% silica, 13% boron, 4% sodium carbonate and 2.5% alumina.

Thanks to its PLA content, this filament is very easy to print, as its printing properties are similar to those of PLA, allowing any FDM 3D printer user to produce parts with this material.

Once a part has been printed, it is necessary to carry out the sintering process, in an open environment or in a vacuum or inert environment, bearing in mind that the sintering values must be adjusted according to the geometry and furnace model. The product obtained is totally ceramic, but with certain porosity and a reduction in volume due to the loss of PLA.

Currently, a large list of industry sectors are using the various filaments developed by The Virtual Foundry: 3D printer manufacturers, biomedical innovation, jet engine development, radiation shielding, space exploration, nuclear energy, dental, artists or fashion design. One notable application is the manufacture of an internally heated hot water drill bit for drilling in Antarctica. With copper Filamet™, a drill bit with an internal structure that is extremely difficult to machine or mould has been manufactured very easily and at low cost. Another notable application is the printing of radiation shielding containers using tungsten Filamet™. Such containers are used to transport reagent medicines without having to resort to (toxic) lead containers.

The Filamet™ Pyrex filament allows any FDM 3D printer user to produce pure borosilicate glass objects, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 600ºC. Once sintered in a furnace, the result of 3D printed parts made from this material is 100% glass. The final parts are not transparent.