Product category:
Rapid Prototyping
News Release from: DSM Somos | Subject: WaterShed
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 August 2002
Prototyping resin sheds water
Somos WaterShed is a general-purpose resin that exhibits phenomenal water and humidity resistance that is now available for most solid-state and helium-cadmium laser systems for stereolithography.
Somos WaterShed is a general-purpose resin that exhibits phenomenal water and humidity resistance that is now available for most solid-state and helium-cadmium laser systems for stereolithography Somos WaterShed is a strong, rigid resin that retains properties over a variety of environmental conditions and also offers a similar aesthetic appeal of the Somos WaterClear family of transparent resins
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 20 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Many of the physical properties of WaterShed match those of extrusion grade polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and transparent grade acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), two common plastics used in manufacturing, making the new material very suitable for numerous automotive, electronic, medical, consumer and industrial applications.
According to Dan Mickish, PhD, R and D Manager, DSM Somos: "Somos WaterShed provides extremely low water absorption so that part dimensions and mechanical properties are unaffected by high humidity.
That benefit was driven by marketplace demands for a stereolithography resin that keeps its strength in all weather conditions.
Current commercial materials often lose strength and "wilt" in hot humid conditions.
Somos WaterShed retains its strength and mechanical properties in a broad variety of environments.
We regard WaterShed as a defining development in photopolymer progress".
Charlie Kaufmann, New Market Development Manager, also notes that Somos WaterShed provides value attributes in terms of tensile strength.
"WaterShed creates a stronger, stiffer material exhibiting excellent green strength while retaining impressive elongation properties.
This is key to WaterShed performance because tensile and flexural properties usually decrease after being exposed to high humidity".
Among the many applications seen as ideal for Somos WaterShed are brake system parts, distributor caps, fuel injection modules, grille opening panels, electronic connectors, switches, relays, TV tuners, motor housings, fuse cases, medical and specialty syringes, irrigation and wound drainage systems, check valves, catheter housings, industrial zippers, power tool housings, hair dryers, calculators and food processor blades.
Somos WaterShed resins are part of the ProtoFunctional Materials family pioneered by DSM Somos. Request a free brochure from DSM Somos ...
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