Boston-based startup Fortify announced that it will be collaborating with ceramic 3D printing specialist Tethon 3D to develop innovative technical ceramics for high-volume end-use part production. Tethon’s expertise in the formulation of photo-curing ceramic polymer resins will be combined with Fortify’s composite 3D printing technology. The creation of these new ceramic products is aimed toward supplying various industrial ceramic applications as well as other classified projects for government agencies. The two companies will be making use of Fortify’s FLUX CORE printer and Flux Developer software. Tethon has already produced two new ceramic materials at its research and development facility located in Omaha, Nebr.: the Fortify High Purity Alumina (HP-A 99.8) and Low Shrink Aluminum Silicate (LS-AS).
The FLUX CORE printer was installed at the Tethon Omaha facility around mid-June. According to the two firms, the new materials have the lowest shrinkage rates compared to existing materials on the market.
HP-A 99.8 is an alumina-filled photo resin that sinters with approximately 12 percent shrinkage. This material is specially designed for applications requiring dielectric strength, corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and hardness. Meanwhile, the LS-AS functions as a general-use ceramic with a low shrinkage rate of 5 percent. The two materials were showcased at the RAPID + TCT 2021 event in Chicago this month.
The technical ceramics market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 33 percent over the next six years. Fortify is already planning to help accelerate the transition from conventional ceramic manufacturing methods to additive manufacturing to accommodate this development.
“Expanding our platform to the technical ceramics market is a natural evolution for Fortify,” shared Joshua Martin, CEO and co-founder of Fortify. “Pushing the envelope with these materials requires processing of highly-loaded, abrasive, and viscous materials. These are the same capabilities that drive our success across various technical photopolymers. Tethon 3D is an ideal partner for us based on their ability to quickly formulate materials. We’re excited with what they have been able to accomplish with our technology in-house in just six weeks.”
The use of technical ceramics presents opportunities for a wide array of advanced applications, such as extreme temperature parts, highly wear-resistant components, and chemical contacting devices. Unfortunately, current manufacturing processes still pose limitations, preventing the ceramics sector from progressing and innovating. The integration of 3D printing technology has been actively addressing these challenges thanks to its capabilities to fabricate complex geometries. Tethon 3D expressed its enthusiasm in utilizing Forttify’s 3D printing solutions to develop new material formulations.
“The overall robustness of the FLUX CORE system and the capabilities of Flux Developer to quickly validate multiple variables simultaneously has really shortened our lead time on new materials,” said Greg Pugh, CTO at Tethon 3D. “The key demands from our customers are higher purity materials, low shrink rates, and faster processing through print and sintering. The Fortify partnership advances our technology on each of these metrics.”
For more information, visit the official websites of Fortify and Tethon 3D.