Boeing receives certification for Antero 800NA material
The PEKK (polyether ketone ketone) -based material has enhanced chemical and fatigue resistance. This offers Boeing a new opportunity in the production of polymer aircraft parts.
Boeing, one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, has qualified and accepted Stratasys’ Antero 800NA thermoplastic for 3D printing, Stratasys announced. The qualification means that this high-temperature material can now be used for the direct production of 3D printed parts for Boeing aircraft, meaning these parts will not function as prototypes but will be directly incorporated into the aircraft.
The PEKK-based Antero 800NA polymer was developed specifically for the industrial Stratasys FDM® 3D printer. Boeing issued the BMS8-444 specification and, after a comprehensive evaluation of the material, added the 800NA material to the Qualified Product List (QPL). This is the first Stratasys material that Boeing has used to meet qualified chemical resistance and fatigue requirements.
“Boeing recognized the enormous advantage of Antero in applications where 3D printing was previously not possible,” said Scott Sevcik, vice president, Stratasys Aerospace. “Additive manufacturing offers tremendous benefits in streamlining aerospace supply chains for both new parts and maintenance, repair and operational parts. Robust materials are needed to meet the requirements to meet challenging aerospace specifications.”
The 800NA, part of the Antero family, is an ESD-protected material, just like the Antero 840CN03.
Stratasys has made these materials available to users with the F900 and Fortus 450mc 3D printers.