04-18-2017: Zortrax introduced Z-ESD
One of the first electrostatic discharge (ESD)-resistant filaments designed for desktop-grade 3D printers
On April 18, 2017, Zortrax launched the Z-ESD material, which offered protection against electrostatic discharge, high resistance to chemicals, and very low shrinkage during the 3D printing process. This new filament was developed in response to the needs of industrial clients and was compatible with the Zortrax M200 and M300 3D printers.
The demand for a new type of 3D printing material came from Zortrax’s clients, such as Bosch, which was using Zortrax M200 3D printers in its manufacturing facility in France. The printers were used for assembling parts in electronic devices, so the company was looking for a material with strong ESD protection to ensure the safety of sensitive components.
Zortrax responded with Z-ESD, a material designed to safeguard electronic devices from electrostatic discharge while also offering very low shrinkage during printing and strong resistance to aggressive chemical substances. These features made it well-suited for professional and industrial applications, such as machine components used in production lines, enclosures for electronic devices, and prototypes that required both chemical resistance and ESD protection.
Z-ESD was developed based on Z-PETG and offered low shrinkage, chemical resistance to acids, bases, and salts, as well as antistatic properties with a surface resistivity in the range of 10⁴–10⁹ ohms. It was specifically intended for professional use—for instance, in the production of casings that protect sensitive electronics from electrostatic discharge.
The filament was available exclusively in black and was relatively expensive for desktop 3D printing materials, priced at over €100 for 0.8 kg. Z-ESD performed best in large, functional prints typical of industrial applications.
Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl
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