Carbodeon and Tiamet 3D to bring nanodiamond-enhanced 3D printing filaments to market
Carbodeon and Tiamet 3D have announced nanodiamond-enhanced filaments for 3D printing with a 100 percent increase in tensile strength.
Carbodeon, a Finnish nanodiamond manufacturer, is teaming with Tiamet 3D to bring to market the first 3D printing filaments to be enhanced by diamond nanoparticles.
These materials will be based on a patented technology co-developed by the partners, which they say significantly improves the mechanical and thermal properties of 3D printed parts. The pair have signed a strategic partnership agreement which, in addition to setting out the arrangement for joint material development, confirms that Carbodeon will supply nanodiamond materials to Tiamet 3D.
The first Carbodeon/ Tiamet 3D printing filaments will be based on PLA, with higher-performance thermoplastic products to follow as research and development continues. Enhanced by the nanodiamond composites, the materials are said to be suitable for use in a number of manufacturing environments, like the electronics, automotive and aerospace sectors. The nanodiamonds, which are typically below 1 micrometre in size, can improve conductivity and tensile strength of the base polymer, as well as increase the glass transition temperature of the end product.
“Nanodiamonds offer the potential to make 3D printed components that perform as well as or better than comparable injection moulded components, but with massive cost reductions and production speed environments, especially for prototype, on-demand and short-run production,” commented Carbodeon CEO, Dr Vesa Myllymäki.
Carbodeon is a renowned developer and supplier of nanodiamond additives for the metal finishing, polymer thermal and mechanical compounds sectors, and receives financial support from the European Union. It sells its products under the uDiamond brand, and now, as a result of this latest partnership, will be able to introduce 3D printing filaments to its portfolio. It has aligned with a company that, since 2014, has been looking to provide solutions to what it sees as the core problems surrounding desktop 3D printing.
“By joining forces, we’ve already developed filaments with a 100% increase in tensile strength, improved printability, and better thermal properties,” said Reid Larson, CEO of Tiamet 3D. “Printing also runs more quickly and more reliably with the addition of Carbodeon polymer-tailored nanodiamonds.”
“Product development partnerships with innovative companies like Tiamet 3D are a key part of Carbodeon’s global growth strategy,” Myllymäki added.
