Dow OBC (Olefin Block Copolymer) Filament
Low Density, High Strength, Excellent Chemical Resistance, Flexible
Polyethylene (PE)-based Olefin Block Copolymer (OBC) is made from a unique polyethylene-based material.
3D-Fuel, in partnership with Dow Chemical Company, have produced the IMAGIN3D™ OBC filament - a breakthrough material that brings polyolefin properties to 3D printing without the issues commonly associated with printing polypropylene.
OBC is a high-performance build material that enables the production of lightweight and durable 3D printed parts. It is best suited for 3D printers who need a high quality, lightweight chemical resistant filament. This new material offers some great characteristics including:
- Excellent Printability
- Low Density (0.905 g/cm^3)
- Higher Durability
- Excellent z-axis property retention
- Chemical Resistance
- Consistent Printing
- and Low Odor
These material benefits enable new, high-end applications. OBC’s low flexural modulus and extreme fatigue resistance make living hinges easier and longer-lasting than ever. The low-density, durability, and chemical resistance are excellent for UAV, automotive, marine, and R/C applications.
For best results, use a PP- or PE-based build surface. The best surface material for this is Layerlock Polypropylene (PP) with a coating of Magigoo Polypropylene.
Clear packing tape is a low-cost build surface option, but it may need to be replaced with every print.
NOTE: Because DOW OBC is such a low-density material, the spool weights are lower than you might expect, but a full spool of OBC (768g) will print the same amount of parts as a 1kg spool of PLA. Pretty crazy, right? It's an excellent material for doing weight-reduction on your 3D printing projects.
For best printing results, use Layerlock Polypropylene for the build surface and Magigoo Polypropylene for the surface adhesive. Magigoo PP + glass build surface will also work well.
Printing parameters:
Print Speed: 10-40 mm/s
Extruder Temp: 170-200° C
Heated Bed: 60-100° C
Build Surface: Layerlock Polypropylene + Magigoo Polypropylene OR Glass buildplate + Magigoo Polypropylene OR Clear packing tape