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Launch of graphene-enhanced PLA filaments for 3-D printing

August 11th, 2016

Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Haydale Graphene Industries PLC (HGI), are pleased to announce a commercial collaboration with Filamentprint (UK) Ltd (a company specialising in the compounding and manufacture of thermoplastic filaments for 3D printing) and Fullerex Ltd (HGI's sales agent for its functionalised nano materials) to promote and sell Graphene enhanced Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) filaments for 3D printing applications. 3D printing enables designers to produce prototype components, models or actual components directly from a computer aided design ("CAD") on a computer without the need to manufacture moulds or tooling.

The Graphene enhanced PLA filaments, available in 1.75mm and 2.85 mm diameters, have been trialled by a number of 3D printing companies who have reported a number of major benefits, including:

Excellent first layer adhesion and z axis strength retention
Major increase in speed of processing
Improved strength and stiffness
Better impact performance
Excellent print quality and surface finish
Improved dimensional accuracy
Compatibility with a broad range of printers and ease of use.

HCS and Filamentprint (UK) Ltd are exhibiting these exciting new materials at the TCT show, NEC Birmingham 28-29 September, on adjacent booths H39 and H41 and staff from all 3 companies will be available to discuss the properties and benefits of Graphene enhanced PLA filaments. These specifically include how the mechanical, electrical, thermal and physical properties of the Graphene enhanced PLA filaments can be tailored to meet the needs of different applications and markets. The Companies will also be demonstrating products being 3D printed in Graphene enhanced PLA. Data sheets and price lists will be available for interested parties.

Commenting on the feedback, Gerry Boyce, Managing Director of HCS said;

"We are very excited about the development of graphene enhanced Thermoplastic materials for 3D printing. These new materials offer so many benefits including the ability to make parts stiffer, stronger and faster! Speed of print has historically been a barrier to wide scale take up of 3D printing. In the future, the thought of making structural components direct from CAD excites us enormously."

Whilst HCS and Filamentprint (UK) Ltd will be launching their first commercially available Graphene enhanced PLA filaments, the companies are also working on a range of Graphene enhanced thermoplastics including ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), Nylon and PP (Polypropylene) materials and staff will be only too pleased to discuss these new developments and how HCS and Filamentprint (UK) Ltd can develop customised Graphene enhanced thermoplastic filaments to meet a company's product requirements.

Clive Wilcox Managing Director of Filamentprint (UK) Ltd added:

"We are unashamed nano technology enthusiasts. Our thinking incorporates that of both the major industrialists through to the hobbyists. Our collaboration with Haydale and Fullerex is the next logical step in the developmental process to enable us to provide bespoke solutions for our clients' requirements."

Sample reels of Graphene enhanced PLA will be available for trial purposes. HCS, Filamentprint (UK) Ltd and Fullerex would like to talk to potential customers of Graphene enhanced PLA filaments as well as potential distributors of the product on a geographic basis.

Joe Eldridge, Director of Fullerex Ltd also commented:

"Significant improvements in conventional materials are needed to move FDM 3D printers beyond making prototypes or display models and into a capable technology for rapidly manufacturing mechanically robust, functional parts. Haydale's ability to engineer Graphene to properly exploit its desirable properties has been a vital prerequisite to bridge this gap. This filament is easy to use and has broad compatibility, so is an exciting option regardless of whether you are a hobbyist or an industrial manufacturer."

Provided by Hermes Financial Public Relations

Citation: Launch of graphene-enhanced PLA filaments for 3-D printing (2016, August 11) retrieved 2 August 2025 from https://sciencex.com/wire-news/232384572/launch-of-graphene-enhanced-pla-filaments-for-3-d-printing.html

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