Literally, a Japanese filament manufacturer of the Mitsubishi Chemical Grouphas introduced a new bio-based FFF 3D printing filament called DURABIO.
This material consists of Polycarbonate (PC) and polymethacrylate (PMMA) for optical and mechanical properties, high heat, scratch and abrasion resistance as well as high light transmission and UV resistance.
“Verbatim’s goal is to open up new markets in the 3D printing industry. An essential part of this is the introduction of special 3D printing materials developed by Mitsubishi Chemical with DURABIO This is the latest exciting addition, ”said Hidetaka Yabe, President of Verbatim GmbH.
A diagram showing the properties of the DURABIO filament. Image via Mitsubishi Chemical Group.
A renewable, transparent technical thread
Mitsubishi Chemical initially developed DURABIO as a glass replacement. The bio-based engineering plastic is BPA-free and its main monomer is based on a renewable source, i.e. isosorbide, which comes from the commonly used sorbitol raw material.
The environmentally friendly properties of DURABIO have resulted in DURABIO being used in the automotive and mobile phone sectors for the manufacture of touchscreens, console and dashboard panels and radiator grills for outdoor use.
DURABIO resin previously used on the front of Sharp’s AQUOS CRYSTAL 2 smartphone. Image via Sharp Corporation.
Mitsubishi Chemical added: “DURABIO was specially developed for applications that require exceptional permanent transparency and a visual appearance with scratch and impact resistance as well as chemical inertness.”
The filament will be available in transparent and high-gloss piano black and piano white. Bulk deliveries from DURABIO will be available from January 2019. New Verbatim products are expected to follow, including PET-G and high-speed PLA. DURABIO samples are also available at Formnext at the fair in Frankfurt, where the 3D printing industry reports live.
Earlier this year Verbatim filaments have been specially optimized for use in 3DGence 3D printers through a collaboration between the two companies. These included BVOH and Breakaway HIPS, water-soluble carrier materials for complex 3D printed objects.
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Selected image shows Verbatim filaments. Photo via Verbatim.
