Infinite Material Solutions LLC offers Caverna PP, an extrudable thermoplastic with a water-soluble, co-continuous, microporous morphology. It is a 3D printing filament that allows users to create lightweight foam parts resembling a sponge.
Specifically designed for use in Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) systems, Caverna PP is the first in Infinite's line of forthcoming Caverna build materials. Each one will be a unique blend of two polymers: a soluble material to be removed through dissolution, and an insoluble build material (in this case, polypropylene) to remain. After dissolution, the water-soluble phase leaves behind a cave-like network of microporous, interconnected channels inside the build material, making it light, soft and porous.
"We expect this material to get additive manufacturers dreaming up new applications in fields such as filtration, separators and personal protective equipment," said a company spokesperson. "One area of particular interest is the potential to create porous tooling for the production of vacuum formed parts. Caverna PP's co-continuous distribution of tiny pores (1-4µ) could allow for consistent airflow, eliminating the need to drill holes and maximizing material distribution."
Caverna PP joins two other novel materials in Infinite's portfolio: AquaSys 120 and AquaSys 180 water-soluble support filaments. These materials pair with popular build materials, ranging from PLA to PEEK, to support complex designs, then dissolve quickly in tap water to leave behind a finished part. Infinite recommends pairing Caverna PP with AquaSys 120 for one-step dissolution. Users can simply print the part, leave it to dissolve and come back to find a complete build with a microporous structure.
For more information contact:
Infinite Material Solutions, LLC
1091 Sutherland Avenue
River Falls, WI 54022
347-487-8880
www.infinitematerialsolutions.com