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| Henkel Loctite |
Henkel's Loctite 3D Printing team has found that UV-cured resins offer durability comparable to established engineering thermoplastics, making them a viable choice for industrial applications. The study assessed the performance of Loctite® 3D 3843 BK and Loctite® 3D IND403 BK against traditional injection-molded thermoplastics PA6 and POM, revealing competitive results in durability testing.
Key Findings
The research compared 3D-printed and injection-molded samples across durability tests, including:
- Accelerated weathering
- Heat aging
- Chemical immersion
- Climate cycling
- Mechanical properties at varying temperatures
While PA6 and POM excelled in certain conditions, Loctite® 3D IND403 BK matched POM in durability in specific scenarios, and Loctite® 3D 3843 BK outperformed PA6 in others.
Implications for Additive Manufacturing
UV-cured resins bring design flexibility, complexity, and production speed to additive manufacturing. This study highlights their potential as a durable alternative to traditional thermoplastics, catering to advanced manufacturing needs.
Conducted in partnership with Protolabs, which provided injection-molded PA6 and POM samples, the study underscores the expanding possibilities of UV-curable resins in industrial applications.
