Search
Close this search box.

Adhesives for Optimised Additive Manufacturing

In this article we explore additive manufacturing (3D printing) and the top adhesives which can be used to enhance 3D printed components.

Table of Contents

additive manufacturing

What Is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by adding one thin layer of material at a time. Objects are built based on CAD (computer-aided design) models which the 3D printer then reproduces slice by slice.

Powdered materials are used by the printer as the building blocks of the objects, with each layer adhering to the one below it. Different types of 3D printers use different adhering techniques. These types include Sintering, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

Typically, granular material is jetted from the print head at a specific temperature which allows it to remain soft; only curing and forming the object either as it cools, through UV, laser or electron curing, or by using bonding agents. Any loose powder left from the process is recycled in the next print cycle.

Materials & Applications

3D printers can use a wide range of materials as their building blocks. These include:

  • Thermoplastics – the most common additive manufacturing material, ideal for lightweight, complex designs in aerospace applications. For example, NASA 3D printed a fully functional rocket nozzle in 2018.
  • Metals – Steel, titanium, gold and silver are commonly used in 3D printing technologies. For example, McLaren used carbon fibre 3D printed parts to manufacture cooling ducts to enhance their automotive technology.
  • Ceramics – zirconia, glass, and alumina are used to create new types of products.
  • Biochemicals – silicon, zinc, and calcium phosphate are used in additive manufacturing to create healthcare products. For example, New York University created 3D printed tumour models as a part of a study into cancer.

Different materials are used based on both the application and the industry. With new advancements in 3D printing technologies such as SLS, multi-material printing is now a possibility too.

Benefits of Additive Manufacturing

  • Less material waste due to only the exact object being produced
  • Complex designs are permitted more easily than traditional manufacturing methods
  • Fast turn-around time
  • Cheaper production since manufacturing steps such as milling, moulding, machining and carving are no longer necessary
  • Higher output rate than traditional manufacturing

3d printer

Common Problems With 3D Printing

Although additive manufacturing provides many benefits to manufacturers, there is still much room for improvement within the field. We now explore a few of the challenges that additive manufacturers face.

Difficulty Bonding Certain Materials

PEEK

3D printing with PEEK, a high-performance polymer used in mechanical applications, imposes an issue. The very high-temperature gradients and warping forces in the printing process leads to faults in the material. Although, new developments such as SLS are allowing additive manufacturing businesses to test new multi-material printing to eliminate the issue. 

ABS

ABS is a tricky material to use for 3D printing due to its complex chemical makeup and therefore difficulty to bond. However, with common use and applications such as vehicle interiors, it is likely that ABS 3D printing will be improved in the future to accommodate with the growing demand for efficient and reliable production of high-end vehicle interiors. 

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is a cheap and versatile material that is prevalent among many industries. PP has very low surface energy, making it notoriously difficult to bond. This makes PP a difficult material to use in 3D printing. However, as additive manufacturing technologies advance, innovations such as SLS will make using these materials much more viable. 

Snapped Filament

Every 3D printer has a filament which acts as the feedstock for the printer. Often times, these filaments can get damaged over time and eventually snap, causing the printer to fail. 

Adhesives for Additive Manufacturing

Adhesives that are to be used in additive manufacturing must be flexible, durable and of high isotropic strength.

Araldite 2051

Araldite 2051 is a two-component, toughened methacrylate adhesive which provides high resilience to vibrations, impact and dynamic loading. It is pale yellow, when mixed. It is designed for service temperatures up to 120°C, making it extremely durable and suitable in high-temperature environments. Araldite 2051 can be used for pipe bonding applications within 3D printers. 

We are your technical partner.

If you have any questions or want to find out more about the possibilities for your industrial application, please complete the contact form and one of our experts will be in touch.

If you have a problem with industrial adhesives, sealants, or electronic protection products and require advice, you can contact our technical support service. Our team can help you to optimize your processes and applications.

Liked this article?

If you found this article interesting please share it using the buttons below.

LinkedIn
Twitter
Email
WhatsApp
Print
Making repairs in extreme conditions

MAKING REPAIRS IN DEMANDING CONDITIONS

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION?

We are committed to optimizing your applications through our technologies and we advise you without any commitment.

Subscribe to the Knowledge Hub

Sign up to receive more articles like this directly in your mail.

Get in touch with Antala

The personal data voluntarily provided by you, through this web form will be treated by ANTALA LTD. as responsible for the treatment, in order to meet your request, query, complaint or suggestion, without communications or data transfers occurring and kept for the time necessary to meet your request. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification or deletion of your data, by writing to arco@antala.uk, for more information, you can consult our Privacy Policy

Making Repairs in Demanding Conditions

This white paper examines how you can maximize staff time and minimize the number of hours when your critical items are out of action.