colorFabb varioShoreTPU made with Lubrizol’s Estane 3D TPU

Cleveland, OH – Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions and colorFabb announce the joint development of new varioShoreTPU materials to increase foaming capabilities and present extra functionalities for additive manufacturing. varioShoreTPU is made with Lubrizol’s ESTANE 3D thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) technology.

varioShoreTPU’s unique filament technology enables a different hardness range to be printed within a single 3D part. ESTANE 3D TPU technology provides lightweight and soft touch properties, allows for the hardness to be lowered if needed – from 92 to 60 Shore A –, with the added benefit of expanding 1.4-1.6 times its original volume. The new developments are a result of Lubrizol’s and colorFabb’s joint work on the next generation of varioShore TPU with more colors and resulting in greater aesthetics in finished parts.

colorFabb launched in 2022 two new generations of varioShoreTPU: Anti-Bacterial varioShoreTPU (with the added functionality of being anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) and ESD varioShoreTPU which achieves a surface resistivity <100 Ohm.

“Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions provides state-of-the-art TPU chemistry that best fits the development of varioShoreTPU for a wide range of applications. Our strong partnership and market insights have allowed both companies to unlock the additive manufacturing (AM) segment with varioShoreTPU, a truly unique and differentiated solution” says David Pascual, global 3DP marketing & commercial lead for Lubrizol.

Gijs Houdijk, head of AM at colorFabb comments: “With varioShoreTPU we offer a velvety matte, soft but tough, unique 3D print filament. By adding silver to the formulation, the varioShore TPU is now also suitable for prosthetic and orthotic applications. 3D printing will change lives!”.

varioShoreTPU foaming technology is today present at an array of diverse applications such as automotive interior parts, drones, lighting, protheses, marine life, industrial fixtures, and robotics.

Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions is exhibiting at Formnext show from November 15-18, 2022, in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany. Visit Lubrizol at booth 12.1-F69 to learn more about ESTANE 3D TPU and varioShoreTPU.