Applications
Replacing Metals With High-Performance Polymers in Industrial Applications
In traditional manufacturing, metal is praised for its strength, corrosion resistance and durability, among other properties. And while that will never change, the rise of the use of additive manufacturing with high-performance polymers has brought about an astonishing developmen
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In traditional manufacturing, metal is praised for its strength, corrosion resistance and durability, among other properties. And while that will never change, the rise of the use of additive manufacturing with high-performance polymers has brought about an astonishing development: the ability to replace metal parts with high-performance polymer ones. This can even be done in safety-critical industries like aerospace, automotive and railway.
But what are the advantages of switching metal parts for ones made from high-performance polymers? And more importantly, what tools are needed to ensure that it is done safely? Omni3D, known for its industrial-grade 3D printers, has arisen as one of the leaders in this field and it is actively working to show how it is possible to switch metals for high-performance polymers in different sectors. We took a look at how.
A polymer gear mount made using Omni3D’s large-format 3D printing
What Are the Benefits of Using High-Performance Polymers Over Metals?
First, it is important to note what exactly high-performance polymers are. These thermoplastics are notable for their incredible properties like corrosion resistance, superior strength-to-weight ratio, durability, thermal stability, creep resistance and chemical resistance, among others depending on the material. For additive manufacturing, some of the most used are PEEK, PEKK and ULTEM which offer different advantages.
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