Silicone elastomers dedicated to additive manufacturing, from prototypes to functional parts

Additive manufacturing is still a young material transformation technology compared to injection moulding, extrusion or even the calendaring industrial processes. However, thanks to the tremendous progress in this field in hardware, materials and developments of the digital world, this technology appears to be one of the best responses to new industry challenges: development acceleration, mass-customisation, Industry 4.0, etc.

If we focus on materials for 3D printing, one can see that the majority of raw materials are rigid materials, such as metals, thermosetting resins etc. even though the need for soft materials is now a reality for Additive Manufacturing with functional materials.

Today, flexible materials are mainly used for prototyping, but often with strong compromises to the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the parts.

In this lecture, Elkem proposes a solution to this challenge thanks to new silicone elastomer technologies dedicated to additive manufacturing.

Printing processes and physicochemical properties will be reviewed to show why silicone elastomers are suitable to meet the needs of 3D-printing soft materials.

Speaking at the event

Dr. Damien Djian, lab Manager AM/3DP Lab Lyon, France, Elkem Silicones

Dr. Damien Djian studied chemistry at the French Engineering School of Clermont-Ferrand specialised in rubbers and thermoplastic synthesis.

During his M.Sc. and Ph.D., he studied the fluorinated membrane process for Lithium-ion batteries. Damein joined Elkem Silicones France S.A.S. in 2007 in the R&D department as a project manager to design new silicone elastomers for various applications and markets. Now his studies are focused on silicone technologies for additive manufacturing.

Karsten Schlichter, Program Manager AM/3DP Elkem Silicones

Karsten Schlichter has worked in the Silicone industry for over 30 years. Having held various positions in sales, marketing, purchasing, and strategy throughout his career, Karsten has an MSc in business and economics from the University of Stuttgart.

He spent most of his working life establishing and growing new and emerging applications in industries such as Pulp & Paper, Construction, Energy and Healthcare. Karsten is currently the business development manager at Elkem Silicones. He is coordinating the business aspects of the Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing program for Elkem Silicones worldwide.

His vision, to quote JM Keynes, “The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping old ones”.

You can find more information about Elkem Silicones here: www.elkem.com/silicones/