Somos NanoTool Now Commercially Available

By DE Editors

NanoTool, the third generation of ProtoComposite materials from DSM Somos (Elgin, IL), is now commercially available. ProtoComposites are resins reinforced with various materials such as ceramics and glasses to produce functional properties not possible using individual components.
 
Heavily filled with non-crystalline nanoparticles, NanoTool has a flexural modulus of 10,500 MPa, a heat deflection temperature of 260 degrees C (at 0.46 MPa after thermal post-cure), and linear shrinkage of less than 0.001 in.
 
Better sidewall quality reduces the amount of finishing time required to sand layer lines. A water-honing process removes any residue left on the surface of NanoTool parts. 

DSM Somos, in conjunction with RePliForm (Baltimore, MD), is currently studying the metal plated strength improvements achievable with NanoTool. To date,  flexural modulus values of >55GPa have been reached based on a metal-to-resin volume ratio of 1:4.
 
Technical data on all Somos materials may be found at dsmsomos.com.
 
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.