Thermoplastic 3D printing for industrial applications

Advanced polymers engineered for Caracol Large Format Additive Manufacturing systems

Caracol works with its in-house material labs and materials partners to develop and qualify new additive manufacturing polymers for its FGF (Fused Granular Fabrication) process. This includes high-temperature materials suitable for extreme environment applications such as autoclave production cicles, tested to guarantee efficient production, top technical properties, and minimizing costs and waste. Every day, we work to identify new 3D printing thermoplastic materials to fit our clients’ specific application requirements and help create custom compounds when needed.

Materials Portfolio

• PP Polypropylene

  Highly resistant to solvents and chemicals, it is a lightweight polymer with good mechanical properties such as elasticity and impact resistance. It can go up to 80° C (176°F) as working temperature and can replace glass fiber and aluminum applications. It is qualified by Caracol to produce functional parts and tooling in several sectors as marine, aerospace, design, and architecture.

  

  Composite
  PP + 35% Glass Fiber

  

  Recycled
  PP + 30% Glass Fiber (recycled)

• ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

  Recommended when glues, coating or other chemicals need to be applied, its has good mechanical properties, is stable during prints. This cost-effective material is qualified by Caracol for low temperature applications up to 80°C (176°F) like: prototyping, vacuum tight molds and tools for trimming and gripping, and finished functional parts not subjected to high mechanical pressure.

  

  Composite
  ABS + 30% Glass Fiber
  ABS + 20% Carbon Fiber

• ASA Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate

  Highly recommended when chemical resistance and UV light protection are required, it has good mechanical properties such as elasticity and strength (particularly when reinforced with glass fiber). This material is qualified by Caracol and highly employed for outdoor applications, design and furniture finished parts.

  

  Composite
  ASA + 20% Glass Fiber
  ASA natural

• PLA Polylactic acid

  A very easy-to-process biobased material that comes in a natural shade (transparent with milky hues) and can be easily customized in color. It is extensively used for in-door furniture and design-related elements and can be printed in its recycled and biobased versions too.

  

  Biobased

• PET-G Polyethylene terephthalate glycol

  This polyester-based polymer can be found in recycled, transparent, or glass fiber reinforced versions. It is high impact, chemical and UV resistant and goes up to 80°C (176°F) working temperature. Its glass-fiber reinforced version is also fire resistant. Therefore, PET-G is ideal for PVC-like, outdoor and indoor finished parts and design applications as well as for prototypes, and railway exterior components.

  

  Recycled
  PET-G + 20% Glass Fiber (recycled)

• TPE High strength and flex elastomer

  This TPE-based high-strength and flexibility elastomer is ideal for topologically optimized pliable structures, such as cushions and seating. It is tested up to 90 Shore A and 80°C (176°F) as working temperature, and it is extensively used to print large-scale rubber-like parts for furniture, seating, and design-related components.

• PC Polycarbonate

  Highly suggested when chemical resistance is required, it has great mechanical and thermal properties, great resistance to heat. The carbon fiber-reinforced composite can withstand mid-temperature autoclave processes, going up to 130°C (266°F) and 3-6 bars in terms of working temperature and pressure. It is ideal for functional and engineering applications, including autoclave molds and heat-resistant cure tools as well as lamination tooling.

  

  Composite
  PC + 20% Carbon Fiber