AUSTIN, Texas—Essentium, Inc., a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers and materials, recently introduced what the company said is the first polycarbonate material to withstand extreme cold temperatures to -60°C.
The material, Essentium Altitude, is reported to offer extreme cold resistance properties that make it suitable for high-altitude applications. Such applications include drones and drone bodies, as well as outdoor housing, panel covers, electrical and transformer housings and covers, electrical line protections, and outdoor maintenance. The material is also well-suited for use in cold outdoor environments in countries such as Norway and states such as Alaska, Essentium said in a release.
The material can be used on any open-source 3D printer, including the Essentium High-Speed Extrusion (HSE™) 180 and HSE 280i 3D printing platforms. This gives users an opportunity to rapidly produce parts that can withstand cold temperatures on-demand—saving money, reducing waste, and streamlining the supply chain, the company said.
Essentium said its team of additive manufacturing experts combined their knowledge of machines, materials, and manufacturing industries to develop the material. Essentium Altitude complies with Essentium’s certificate of conformance, which provides individual spool traceability through the ISO and AS9100 quality process, the company said.
“We are excited to introduce Essentium Altitude, our latest innovative material that drastically expands the usability of 3D printing for outdoor and high-altitude applications,” said Essentium Vice President of Materials Engineering Nirup Nagabandi, Ph.D., in a statement. “Engineered to withstand extreme cold, ultraviolet rays, and flames, Essentium Altitude sets a new standard for high-performance parts in industries such as aerospace, automotive, cold storage, maintenance, and construction. We will continue working with our partners and customers to drive a step-change in polymer advancement, enabling manufacturers to use AM for applications never imagined.”
Essentium’s portfolio of engineering-grade materials also includes its recently released Duratem material.