Jabil offers eco-friendly additive manufacturing material for medical and other applications

PK 5000 resists absorption of liquids.

Engineered-materials developer Jabil Inc. introduced PK 5000 at the recent RAPID + TCT additive manufacturing show. The powder-based polyketone resin—a low-carbon material made from carbon monoxide—was engineered to deliver greater strength, chemical resistance, and resilience than general-purpose nylon materials such as PA 12, claims the manufacturer.

The patent-pending material is formulated to support highly demanding automotive, consumer electronics, defense, medical, and industrial manufacturing applications. Its low-moisture-absorbing characteristics make the material well-suited for parts and products exposed to fuel and water. EOS, Farsoon, and 3D Systems currently are evaluating PK 5000 for their printer platforms. Jabil is developing process parameters for all major SLS platforms to ensure widespread access to the resin.

Jabil, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., developed, tested, and validated PK 5000 at its Materials Innovation Center, Chaska, Minn., where polymer formulations, compound developments, and material-system integration are performed under one roof.