Polycaprolactone

-- Main.AdrianBowyer - 04 Nov 2005

Polymorph

Polymorph is a nylon-like plastic that has a very low melting point (about 60 ^o C). Its strength and low melting point make it an ideal working material for the RepRap machine, and we are concentrating on devices for building with it, at least initially.

Polymorph is similar to polycaprolactone (PCL). But Jonathan Harris at Birmingham University kindly ran both through an FTIR for us:

and as you can see thare are minor differences around wavenumbers of 1100 and 3600 cm^-1.

I have now (1 December 2005) obtained a sample of polycaprolactone granules and used it in place of Polymorph. It works perfectly to make rods for the RepRap extruder. I used granules of CAPA 6800 polycaprolactone (2-Oxepanone, homopolymer; molecular weight 80,000, CAS number: 24980-41-4) from

Solvay Interox Ltd. Baronet Works Lower Walton Warrington WA4 6HB U.K. +44 (0) 1925 643210

The Solvay website is here. CAPA 6800 is supplied by the company in 20 kg paper sacks, or 500 kg bags. Currently, it appears to cost USD$ 9/kg ("USD$ 4.05/lb for a 20kg bag, not including shipping"). Polymorph granules can also be obtained from the following suppliers:

UK:

Maplin Electronics Ltd. National Distribution Centre Valley Road Wombwell Barnsley South Yorkshire S73 0BS Sales: +44 (0)870 4296000

Link to the Maplin Polymorph page.

Middlesex University Teaching Resources (MUTR) Ltd. Unit 10, The IO Centre Lea Road Waltham Cross Herts, EN9 1AS

Link to the MUTR Polymorph page.

USA (Polymorph is called Friendly Plastic in the USA):

The Compleat Sculptor 90 Vandam Street West SoHo N.Y.C. Phone: 800-9-SCULPT

Link to The Compleat Sculptor Friendly Plastic page.

Sunshine Discount Crafts 12335 62nd St N Largo, FL 33773 Phone: 1-800-729-2878

Link to the Sunshine Discount Crafts Friendly Plastic page.

This company also supplies Friendly Plastic in a wide range of colours.