Filament BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® PC/ABS FR

Flame retardant PC-ABS combines the benefits of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This blend makes this filament a strong, durable polymer – a desirable material for additive manufacturing in many industrial sectors. Above all, the polymer is flame retardant, which means it meets fire safety standards, thus it can be applied in the most demanding sectors, e.g., the railway industry.

PC-ABS FR is another version of PC-ABS – an engineering blend of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, the thermoplastics commonly used in 3D printing. First of all, PC-ABS FR is non-flammable material. According to UL 94 norms, it is classified as UL 94 V-0, which means burning extinguishes within 10 seconds on a vertical part and drops are not inflamed. This feature is highly desirable by companies and contractors related to the railway industry, automotive, and aerospace.

The combination of ABS and PC results in better impact strength, increased heat resistance, good printability, and a smooth, low-gloss surface finish. What is worth noting, the filament has decreased moisture absorption, which makes it less demanding in terms of storage, however, a proper humidity and temperature control provided by our Material Management System (MMS) is still recommended. Many companies appreciate the fact PC-ABS FR is non-toxic, UV-resistance, recyclable, and electrically safe. This 3D printing filament requires a stable environment for printing, thus a printer with a heated chamber is advised (this improves layer adhesion and reduces the risk of warping).

How to refer PC-ABS FR to other materials? Compared with ABS, PC-ABC FR provides higher flexural strength and impact resistance. In comparison with PC, the filament presents better ductility, and it is easier to print. That is why it is suitable for both professional applications and consumer-grade usage. In reference to PC-ABS, PC-ABS FR is non-flammable.

Key benefits of PC-ABS FR

• flame retardant, matching UL 94 V-0 rate and the Railway Standards EN 45545-2,

• increased heat, impact, wearing resistance,

• strong layer adhesion,

• extended chemical tolerance: to acids, alkalis, and salts,

• long-lasting durability and strength of printouts.

Support materials compatible with PC ABS FR

BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse® PC ABS FR is compatible with 3DGence ESM-10 support material, offering a versatile solution for complex 3D printing applications. The compatibility with ESM-10 enables the use of soluble supports, which can be easily removed thus simplifying post-processing. Utilizing supports in 3D printing provides several advantages, including the ability to create intricate geometries, overhangs, and detailed internal structures that would be impossible to achieve with unsupported prints. This compatibility not only enhances the design freedom for engineers and designers but also improves the overall quality and precision of the final printed parts.

Industrial applications of PC-ABS FR

As stated above, PC-ABS FR applies to fully-professional, industrial FFF applications and customer-grade purposes. Because of its non-flammability, the material is mainly used in the industrial sectors which have to comply with safety standards, e.g., automotive, aerospace or railway. It is also suitable for sockets, plugs, or powertools.

As an extended version of PC-ABS, PC-ABS FR suits well in functional prototyping and printing of detailed, mechanical end-parts with a nice surface look. PC-ABS FR is an appropriate choice for tooling (jigs, manufacturing tools, fixtures, etc.) and low-volume production.

PC-ABS FR filament: good to know

To gain precise, high-quality printouts out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate polymer copolymer, a professional industrial printer with a heated chamber will be needed.

Our true industrial printer: INDUSTRY F350 can reach you the full potential of this filament. PC-ABS FR works with both soluble and breakaway support materials. The printing profile is available in our copyrighted 3DGence SLICER 4.0.