Covestro and Nexeo Plastics develop new PC/ABS filament for 3D printing

The new polycarbonate blend for 3D printing developed by Covestro and Nexeo, Addigy® FPB 2684 3D, is available in black and white and in filament diameters of 1.75 and 2.85 millimeters. © Covestro

Nexeo Plastics, a global thermoplastics resin distributor, has worked together with material manufacturer Covestro on the development and launch of the new Polycarbonate/ABS 3D printing filament Addigy® FPB 2684 3D. This filament is available from now on via Nexeo Plastics’ distribution platform.

The product sets the standard for performance by retaining its toughness and UV resistance in environments with higher temperatures of up to 122 degrees Celsius, enabling the printing of components for outdoor applications. Further, the new filament is very easy to print, providing the opportunity for broader applications in 3D printing. Nexeo Plastics and Covestro underline this with a 250 percent enlarged Benchy successfully printed on the Ultimaker S3 printer.

The polycarbonate blend is available in black and white and in filament diameters of 1.75 and 2.85 mm. In line with customer requests, a wider range of colors will be added to the PC/ABS portfolio later this year.

Multi-year cooperation

The new PC+ABS filament enables printing of large parts, as in the case of this 250 percent enlarged benchy produced on an Ultimaker S3 printer. © Covestro

"For the last couple of years Nexeo Plastics and Covestro have worked extensively on customer applications and material requirements for OEMs. This collective know-how has built the foundation on which the product is being launched on the Ultimaker Cura platform in order to offer our customers the most convenient and reliable PC-printing solution," said Patrick Rosso, Global Head of Additive Manufacturing at Covestro.

The development of Addigy® FPB 2684 was a collaborative effort. It resulted in a material that provides an extremely smooth surface finish while delivering impact resistance and superior strength. Leveraging its deep technical support services experience, Nexeo Plastics utilized testing scenarios based on real-world printing demands in the market to promote the development of Covestro’s Addigy® FPB 2684. Ultimaker co-developed the printing parameters for its Ultimaker S3 and S5 series printers, which are ready for download on the Ultimaker Cura Marketplace.

"As part of our business growth strategy, we continue to invest in expanding our 3D printing product portfolio and support services," said Paul Tayler, president and chief executive officer of Nexeo Plastics. "Our collaboration with Covestro highlights our commitment to offering great products and working with industry leaders to support a wide range of users and manufacturing requirements."