3D printing specialist Arevo Labs (San Jose, California / USA; www.arevolabs.com) has developed technology and materials to create ultra strong high performance polymer parts using 3D printing. Using materials from US-based Solvay Specialty Polymers (Alpharetta, Georgia; www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com), the company says its process overcomes the technical challenges of 3D printing with PEEK and other advanced reinforced polymers through optimising polymer formulations and extrusion technology to make them suitable for additive manufacturing.

The technology combines the benefits of printing complex geometries with reinforced materials that have improved resistance to high temperatures and chemicals. Arevo said the mechanical properties of the printed components are optimised using advanced design techniques that result in lighter, stronger parts with the highest mechanical properties.

Supported materials include “KetaSpire” PEEK, “AvaSpire” PAEK, “Radel” PPSU and “PrimoSpire” polyphenylene (SRP). Arevo, a Silicon Valley start-up business, offers its carbon fibre and carbon nanotube reinforced high performance materials with printing technology compatible with commercially available filament fusion 3D printers and specialised software algorithms to create 3D objects with defined mechanical properties.

Jens Hoeltje, director of strategy and marketing for Solvay Specialty Polymers, said: “Arevo Labs is providing the aerospace and defence industries with a new level of performance with 3D printed ultra strong parts using Solvay polymers. We’re pleased that several of Solvay’s high performance polymers are being used in this exciting new technology.”