taulman3D introduces new highly flexible 3D printing filament PCTPE

Dec 16, 2014

3D printing filament manufacturer taulman3D announces today the release their new highly flexible 3D Printing material called PCTPE. PCTPE stands for "Plasticized Copolyamide TPE" or a chemical co-polymer of highly flexible nylon and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).

PCTPE is designed for FFF-based 3D printer and has several unique features that allow users to print a highly flexible part with the added durability of their nylon polymers.

As some users have experienced difficulties with 1.75mm flexible materials, PCTPE will not have this problem. The company said that they have worked with their manufacturer to perform an added "draw" process, a process that actually stretches the material during the final mfg stage. This is a similar process used to make large nylon rope for cruise ship docking maintenance. This added stretch increases the tensile properties of the raw 1.75mm and 2.85mm line such that the tendency to fold or buckle is eliminated.

"This additional process allowed us to increase the percentage of TPE resulting in a material that gives the user a wide range of design flexibility based mostly on the nozzle size, number of perimeters and percentage of internal fill used during slicing." notes the company. "From thin parts that wad up like thin paper to thicker shoe soles with just the right flexibility, PCTPE is an easy-to-print material meeting a long list of requirements from users."

The next major feature of PCTPE is non-delaminating, meaning you can actually fold it along the printed thread axis without it coming apart.

Another feature is it prints at standard ABS settings and that allows it's use on about all printers available. According to Taulman, the PCTPE can be used to print parts from durable prosthetics to complete cosplay wearable outfits, cell phone enclosures as well as highly flexible utility/industrial parts.

The list of features includes:

Prints on bowdens or direct drive extruder
Print temperature = 230C
Low shrinkage = prints on glass with a 50% water/PVA glaze heated to 40C
Super Layer to layer bonding that allows for single perimeter walls to be folded along thread axis.
Takes on any acid based color dye (RITT) very fast = 5 min @ 140F
Takes on acid based antimicrobial coatings for footwear and prosthetics.
Color = Bright White/reflective Nylon surface
Tensile PSI = 5,043
Modulus PSI = 10,954
Elongation @ Break = 497%+
As smooth to the touch as any wearable nylon