PP (Polypropylene) PPprint 721

Polypropylene is a technical material widely used in the industry for presenting really remarkable properties as a whole. Its low weight coupled with interesting mechanical properties such as good breaking strength, high chemical resistance and being semi-flexible, make PP very used in technical applications. It is also a fully recyclable material at the end of its useful life, sterilizable, dishwasher safe and non-hygroscopic (does not absorb moisture). After seeing the whole set of advanced properties of this material, it is normal for the industry to use PP in the automotive, electrical and appliance manufacturing sector, food packaging, textile products, as well as in architecture and construction, art and fashion , sports and leisure, and medical attention.

Video 1: The PP 721 filament by PPprint. Source: PPprint.

But polypropylene has a drawback in the case of 3D FDM printing, its printing difficulty. This is due to its lack of adhesion with other materials, its high coefficient of thermal expansion and the need to have a cabin or controlled environment, in addition to not being able to use the layer fan. But the German manufacturer PPprint has developed a filament that avoids all these problems and also behaves stably in the vast majority of FDM 3D printers on the market, called PPprint 721.

Users can now easily make polypropylene pieces thanks to this filament. This helps many professionals to improve their production to get really tough parts, complex and with many applications with great ease.

Image 1: Pieces 3D printed with the PP 721 filament by PPprint. Source: PPprint. 

It is so easy to print that that it needs an extrusion temperature of only 200-220ºC, a temperature that can be reached by most FDM 3D printers on the market, even for non-professional use. In addition, PPprint has developed a special printing base, to print the PPprint 721 without having warping problems in any case and regardless of the size of the piece.

Although Polypropylene as a material is certified for contact with food (FDA), PPprint 721 is not, since when making the formulation to obtain better printing properties, it fails to fulfill this property that does comply with the generic material.

Image 2: Orthopedic pieces 3D printed with the PP 721 filament. Source: PPprint.

However, PPprint 721 natural is certified as biocompatible and biologically safe according to DIN EN ISO 10993-5 (see Downloads section). This certification enables the use of PPrint 721 natural for the production of 3D printed products that are suitable for direct skin contact, e.g. in orthotics and prosthetics. This opens up many possible applications in a wide range of industries.

With this filament you can get functional end pieces with resistance to breakage, chemical resistance, non-hygroscopic and translucent, ideal characteristics to make pieces as complex as custom-made conduits for any type of fluid.