In the field of large-format 3D printing, a new material has been established that has been specially developed for applications in the maritime environment. In collaboration with the Dutch machine manufacturer CEAD B.V., the German company DIPROmat GmbH, supported by ROTFELD-Consulting, has presented a glass fiber-reinforced high-performance polyolefin material called CEAD HDPro. The material specifically addresses the weaknesses of conventional thermoplastics such as HDPE in boatbuilding and has been optimized for use on CEAD’s pellet pressure systems.
Conventional boats made from glass fiber-reinforced polyester have high mechanical strength, but are heavy, non-recyclable and labor-intensive to manufacture. Thermoplastics such as polyethylene, on the other hand, offer advantages in terms of density and recyclability, but have processing limitations when it comes to large components. These include high shrinkage, low rigidity and stress cracks due to thermal expansion. Particularly critical is the low notched impact strength, which can be problematic in mechanically stressed applications.
CEAD HDPro was developed to overcome precisely these weaknesses. The material is compatible with HDPE, enables thermoplastic welding and can be easily integrated into the existing PE/PP/PO recycling infrastructure. The glass fiber reinforcement achieves significantly higher stiffness with increased impact strength – even at temperatures down to -20 °C, the notched impact strength remains significantly higher than that of standard HDPE at room temperature. The dimensional stability and low water absorption make the material particularly suitable for marine applications.
CEAD sells the material as an integrated system, including the associated process parameters for large-format pellet printing. The system is complemented by matching welding rods made of identical polymer to avoid weak points at joints. CEAD HDPro is a new type of material for additive manufacturing in the maritime environment, which is also likely to be of interest for construction and automotive applications.
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