New igus SLS material for electrostatically dissipative wear parts from 3D printing

iglidur I8-ESD: Electrostatically dissipative SLS material for durable and wear-resistant 3D printed components in the electronics industry. (Source: igus GmbH)

In the SLS process, the new black high-performance polymer can be processed in the shortest possible time. (Source: igus GmbH)

For safe production in the electronics and semiconductor industry, components are required that possess electrostatically dissipative properties. Because even a small electric shock can destroy expensive production runs. To enable users to produce their wear parts with ESD properties flexibly and cost-effectively, igus has now developed a new durable material for the SLS process. The maintenance-free special parts made from iglidur I8-ESD are already printed and shipped within three days.

Wear parts in the electronics and semiconductor industry must not only have a high lifespan but also be electrostatically conductive. Because a current discharge caused by electrostatic charge, which is not dissipated by an insulating material, can easily destroy the product. For the rapid additive manufacturing of electrostatically dissipative special parts, igus has now developed a new iglidur tribo-polymer. iglidur I8-ESD is already the third material that igus offers for the SLS process. The advantages of the process are clear: the user has great design freedom for their component and can produce it completely without tooling costs. Additionally, no plastic waste is generated, as excess powder can be reused multiple times and printed parts are recyclable. Parts made from the new SLS powder, like all igus materials, are completely free of additional lubricants and are very stable. "With iglidur I8-ESD, we now have a tribo-polymer in our range that has a volume resistance of 3x10^7 Ω·cm. Furthermore, the material has a black natural color. This eliminates the need for subsequent dyeing, reducing costs and improving delivery times," explains Tom Krause, Head of the Additive Manufacturing Business Unit at igus GmbH. "This way, the user receives a very durable component that offers all ESD properties."

iglidur I8-ESD impresses with wear resistance

The igus tribo-polymers undergo numerous test series in the company's own 3,800-square-meter igus test laboratory. In the pivot test, it was shown that a sintered iglidur I8-ESD wear part has twice the abrasion resistance compared to a sintered PA12 component. iglidur I8-ESD also proved its worth in the linear wear test. Currently, igus offers iglidur I8-ESD in the webshop as SLS powder for processing on their own machines or through the igus 3D printing service. The user can simply send the STEP file of their desired part to igus. The product is then printed and shipped within three days, starting from a single piece. Interested parties can already order a free sample part at igus.de/i8-esd-muster.