Igus Launches iglide i230 3D Printing Material for High-Temp Applications

<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20240306/1709729933106550.png" title="1709729933106550.png" alt="1.png"/></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Igus announces its new iglide i230 3D printing material for selective laser sintering (SLS). This new powder material can withstand temperatures up to 110°C, expanding the use cases for SLS-printed polymer components.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">During SLS, a printer melts plastic powder layer by layer to form bearings and other components. However, parts made from standard SLS printing materials — such as PA (nylon) 12 — are generally limited to applications less than 80°C. Higher temperatures cause the material to become soft and lose dimensional stability, preventing SLS-printed components from being used in applications like automotive engines.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">&quot;As the demand for 3D-printed plain bearings for applications with high ambient temperatures has increased, we have developed a new SLS printing material called iglide i230,&quot; says Paul Gomer, 3D printing material developer at igus.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Tests performed according to DIN EN ISO 75 HDT-A and HDT-B have demonstrated iglide i230&#39;s heat resistance. Printed parts made from the material do not deform at 80°C. They can withstand long-term exposure to temperatures of 110°C — and even short-term exposure to 170°C without deforming.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">&quot;3D-printed plain bearings made from iglide i230 have a significantly longer service life, increase the efficiency of machines, systems and vehicles and reduce the need for maintenance,&quot; says Gomer.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">At the same time, iglide i230 offers 50-percent more mechanical strength than PA 12 at room temperature.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">&quot;This makes it possible, for example, to achieve the same component strength in plain bearings with a thinner wall thickness and to save room and weight in compact installation spaces,&quot; emphasizes Gomer.</span></p><p><br/></p>