{"id":48,"date":"2021-03-05T16:07:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T21:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/applications\/3d-printing\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T05:50:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:50:32","slug":"3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/applications\/3d-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"3D printing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Elastomers in 3D printing<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/p>

Robin Conrad<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3D printing technology originated in the 1980s. Initially used for rapid prototyping, this additive manufacturing technology has developed very fast. Today, companies are increasingly using 3D printing to produce functional components for end users. In the near future, it will even be possible to use 3D printers to manufacture customer-specific products on an industrial scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as offering unique manufacturing benefits, 3D printing is a sustainable production process because it minimizes waste. Unlike subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing (3D printing) uses only the amount of material that is necessary. Moreover, plastics waste can be recycled and used to manufacture new products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For applications requiring rubber-like properties, the manufacturing industry often uses thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for 3D printing. Recently, TPEs have also been used in additive manufacturing as an addition to main printing materials (like PLA and ABS). TPEs can be used to make consumer goods, sports equipment and electronics as well as components for the automotive and construction industries. TPEs are suitable for use as 3D printing elastomers in the filament deposition modeling (FDM) process, Pellet Additive Manufacturing (PAM) and as powder in the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a subcategory of TPE. Like other TPEs, it can preferably be processed in filament or granulate form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TPEs are ideal for applications requiring flexibility, durability and resistance. 3D printing with TPEs is less expensive compared to other materials, e.g. silicone printing, and more suitable for large-scale industrial applications. TPEs can be used for both prototyping and the manufacture of components for end users. Products from Kuraray are particularly suited for the further processing of PLA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In Additive Manufacturing, thermoplastic elastomers are used for advanced 3D printing solutions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lightweight in action: 3D printing elastomers drive innovation for better performance in mechanical engineering.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Types of 3D printing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

3D printing refers to various additive manufacturing technologies where objects are built up layer by layer. Various materials are used in these processes, including metal, sand, paper and, most frequently, plastics. The three most common methods in relation to 3D printing elastomers are FDM\/PAM, SLA and SLS printing. The difference is the format of the materials fed to the machine (liquid, molten or powder).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filament (FDM) and pellet printing (PAM) are extrusion processes where the 3D printing elastomers are melted to produce the prototyped end-product. Stereolithographic (SLA) printing is a vat photopolymerization process, where a liquid or resin is deposited in layers to build up an object. Selective laser sintering (SLS printing) is a powder bed fusion technology where a powder is added to produce an object.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Layer by layer: 3D filament printers produce functional and customer-specific prototypes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Kuraray\u2019s product range for 3D printing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kuraray\u2019s product range includes industry- and customer-specific TPEs for additive manufacturing. These materials deliver reliable results, even in challenging production conditions. Kuraray’s 3D printing elastomers have excellent elasticity, damping properties, transparency and flowability, plus improved resin elasticity. Selected materials can also be used as modifiers for bio-based polymers such as PLA. The 3D printing elastomer solutions of Kuraray come with advantages as well as challenges regarding the printing process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Features and benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n