Braskem, a Brazilian petrochemical company, will launch a 3D printing portfolio later this month in South America

Braskem, a petrochemical company, is going to launch a series of products in October, including a product for the additive manufacturing industry, 3D printing. According to the company, the department has been helping to respond with the production of masks, due to the recent pandemic of the coronavirus. In addition to masks, there are components of mechanical respirators.

Also read other news of the day:

• Looking for the first job? Human Resources calls for 60 mid-level vacancies in São Paulo; The company offers a fixed salary, bonuses and benefits.
• Crude steel – Domestic production in September was 2,6 million tons, 7,5% higher than in 2019
• BRF hires for 230 jobs in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Ceará, Pernambuco and more

The company informs that “Braskem's solutions made from polypropylene (PP) proved to be attractive and ideal for additive manufacturing, based on the recyclability, impact resistance and dimensional stability of the raw material, which has durable hinge features and also a lower density than other types of plastics”.

The PP used for 3D printing comes in the form of pellets and filaments, both produced in Brazil and in powder form. In addition, the product can be used in industrial 3D printers and desktop computers.

The diameters of Braskem's PP filaments are 1,75 and 2,85 mm. According to the petrochemical company, the polypropylene powder was developed in cooperation with the EOS America subsidiary ALM and is used in the selective laser synthesis process. The PP product in pellet form was developed in cooperation with Titan Robotics, focusing on the innovative Atlastm pellet extrusion platform on an industrial scale.

Fabio Lamon, manager of Innovation and Technology for Additive Manufacturing at Braskem, said that “Additive manufacturing, by itself, is a non-waste process, as it is based on the manufacture of a three-dimensional part by adding layers raw material from a 3D digital file, which enables total format freedom and eliminates losses and waste common in many traditional manufacturing processes”.