The eSUN “Additive Manufacturing Polylactic Acid (PLA) Powder Development” Project is Officially Launched!
Recently, Xiaogan Esun New Material Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as eSUN) officially signed a cooperation agreement with the State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, along with relevant teams from Wuhan University of Technology. The collaboration concerns the “Additive Manufacturing Polylactic Acid (PLA) Powder Development” project.
Laser sintering technology, characterized by its high production efficiency, material diversity, and the precision and durability of printed parts, has become widely applied in various manufacturing fields. As 3D printing shifts its focus from prototype manufacturing to producing final-use parts and gains increasing applications, polymer powder materials show significant prospects for future development.
Currently, the polymer materials primarily used in SLS printing include nylon and its composites, TPU, PPS, PEEK, PP, etc. The development of PLA powder for 3D printing provides users with a more diverse range of choices. Additionally, as an environmentally friendly material, using PLA contributes to the low-carbon and high-quality development of the industry.
In 3D printing, Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Xiaogan Esun New Material Co., Ltd., have successfully launched a series of materials. These include fused deposition modeling (FDM) polylactic acid filaments and photopolymer resins based on polylactic acid.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is made from renewable plant resources, exhibiting excellent biodegradability, and can ultimately break down into carbon dioxide and water. It is internationally recognized as an environmentally friendly material and hailed as a revolutionary material in polymer materials. As a laser sintering material, PLA powder is safer and non-toxic during printing compared to other petroleum-based powders. When used in casting, no smoke or toxic gas is generated. PLA powder can meet the market demand for alternatives to petrochemical powder products, as it has a lower melting temperature, helping to reduce energy consumption while improving printing production efficiency.
About Huazhong University of Science and Technology ‘s Material Forming and Mold Technology Laboratory
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is a leading research and development unit in powder 3D printing technology. The State Key Laboratory of Material Forming and Mold Technology of Huazhong University of Science and Technology at HUST focuses on national primary needs and cutting-edge disciplines, with the deformation laws of materials, control methods for shape and properties, and the relationship between structure and properties as the leading scientific research themes. It has developed research characteristics that combine material-forming processes with digitization and integrate material-forming technology with materials science. The laboratory strives to become an internationally top-tier institution for scientific research, talent cultivation, and academic exchange in material forming and mold technology.
About eSUN
eSUN primarily focuses on the modification and application of biomaterials. Over the years, we have adhered to a combination of “independent innovation + open innovation,” consistently increasing research and development investments. Simultaneously, we actively engage in open innovation explorations with relevant research institutes. eSUN has an academician expert workstation, a post-doctor innovation practice base, an enterprise technology center in Hubei Province, and a biological material research and development center jointly built by schools and enterprises in Hubei Province. eSUN is recognized as a national high-tech enterprise, a specialized, unique, and new “little giant” enterprise, and was honored in 2023 as a National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise.