Conductive Flexible Filament based on rubber-like Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU ), a highly flexible material by Graphene 3D Lab, is specifically designed to allow you to 3D print electrically conductive components using almost any commercially available desktop FDM/FFF 3D printer!

Specifications:

• Diameter: 1.75 mm (±0.1 mm)
• Weight: 100 grams
• Color: Black (Matte finish)
• Base Resin: Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Hardness: Shore 90 A
• Volume resistivity <1.25 Ω-cm
• Improved UV stability ( suitable for outdoor use)

Electrical Conductivity

Our Conductive Flexible TPU Filament offers a volume resistivity of <1.25 Ω-cm. Volume resistivity is the measure of a material’s resistance to electricity within a cubic centimeter of material. In order to determine if the material will work for your project, you will have to keep in mind that the resistivity will change depending upon your print.

Flexible Conductive Traces and Electrodes

• Another application of Conductive Flexible TPU Filament is in the creation of electrically conductive circuitry used for pliable electronics.
• Projects include:
• Interfacing computers, Arduino boards, and other components
• Powering LED’s
• Digital keyboards, trackpads
• Pressure sensitive buttons
• Wearable electronics
• Medical devices, electrodes for electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
• Neural Surface Electrodes

Note: In order to successfully use our Conductive Flexible TPU Filament in electronics applications, the electrical resistance of a circuit must be considered. Please be advised that this filament is designed for low-current applications.

Electromagnetic and Radio frequency Shielding

The outstanding conductivity and flexibility displayed in our Conductive Flexible TPU Filament proves to be a first-rate solution in EMI (Electromagnetic interference) and RF (radio-frequency interference) shielding applications in a wide range of industries, including:

• Telecommunications
• Hospital equipment
• Enclosures and packaging
• Aerospace and Automotive
• Shock-absorbent padding
• Driving belts and timing belts, flexible tubes and connectors

EMI/RF shielding is used to block the electromagnetic field and radio frequency electromagnetic radiation within a space; EMI and RF shielding can be extremely important to a hospital, laboratory, or aerospace setting by protecting against competing signals that may lead to the equipment giving false measurements. EMI/RF shielding can achieve this by blocking AM, FM, TV, emergency services, and cellular signals.

Handling

Conductive Flexible TPU Filament is designed to be used with prints intended for room-temperature operation; it is intended for low-voltage and low-current projects only. Do not exceed 12 volts and avoid using the filament for power supplies that exceed 100 mA. Resistivity of one meter of 1.75 mm filament is about 5 kΩ.

Keep in mind that a major factor influencing resistivity is contact resistivity, so shortening the length of the trace will not linearly correlate to a decrease in resistivity. The intrinsic properties of our Conductive Flexible TPU Filament is such that it should not be left idle (as in not extruding or printing) in a heated printer nozzle. It may expand and cause blockage. After the printing is complete, remove filament from the nozzle promptly.

Our filament is shipped in a vacuum-sealed package with a desiccant packet. Conductive Flexible TPU Filament should be stored in a dry environment away from dust and other particles. User should avoid extended exposure to moisture. We recommend storing in an enclosed container with a desiccant packet. 3D printers, especially their nozzles, should always be maintained, and should be cleaned before and after the use of Conductive Flexible TPU Filament to avoid complications during printing. Users are also instructed to wash their hands before and after use of Conductive Flexible TPU Filament.

Disclaimer

Our materials and products may be used by skilled, experienced users at their own risk. To the fullest extent permissible by all applicable laws, we hereby disclaim any and all responsibility, risk, liability, and damages arising out of any death or personal injury resulting from the assembly or use of our products and materials. Specifications are subject to change without notice. By purchasing this filament, you agree that you have read and agreed to the product description below, including the handling and disclaimer statements.

Printing Parameters:

• Recommended extruder temperature: 210°C
• Recommended platform temperature: 20-50°C (heated bed - optional)
• Recommended print speed: 2400 mm/min Nozzle size: > 0.4 mm
• Extrusion multiplier: 1.1

Conductive Flexible TPU Filament was tested using a direct drive 3D printing extruder. We do not guarantee that our filament will be compatible with non-direct drive 3D printers, such as delta models. Avoid leaving filament in a heated nozzle for an extended period of time. Care after Printing: ALWAYS put your filament into a water proof air tight bag after using to limit contact with humidity. Desiccants can be very helpful.

Our conductive TPU material has a tendency to adhere to the brass printer nozzle. Therefore, we highly recommend to wipe the outer surface of the nozzle before printing with any technical or household oil in order to decrease the material buildup on the nozzle during printing.

Troubleshooting Guide

How do I prevent clogging when printing with Conductive Flexible TPU? What should I know about temperature?

The intrinsic properties of our material are such that we do not recommend keeping it in the nozzle when it's not being actively utilized. It will cause the thermal expansion of the filament resulting in the obstructed nozzle/ guiding tube. However at 210 °C and with a relatively high printing speed it should print just fine. We do print substantial objects with each spool before we sell it. It will not print at 180-190 °C as the melt viscosity isn't yet in range, so it will just expand and clog the nozzle. Printing at 250 °C will result in partial degradation along with substantial aggregation of nanomaterial yielding the clogged nozzle as well. Please, observe the printing temperature recommendation (220 °C) for this product. Also, please make sure that your printing bed is well leveled. If it's not well leveled, you will likely accumulate significant build up on the external surface of the nozzle, which when it solidifies, will obstruct the melt flow. Try to clean the external surface of the cooled nozzle with alcohol if that happens. Make sure to keep filament in the closed bag with desiccants when not in use.

How to unclog nozzles when printing with Conductive Flexible TPU?

The intrinsic properties of our conductive filament is such that it shall not be left idle (as not extruding-printing) in the heated printed nozzle. It may expand and cause blockage. After printing is finished it shall be unloaded promptly. Unfortunately, there is no easy at home way to clean the nozzle. We use harsh organic solvents to dissolve the material if needed. We have two other methods available as well. We advise to try and heat up the clogged nozzle to 200 °C (without filament present) and try to insert a small copper wire into the opening of the nozzle and push through the clog. You also can try to soak the unscrewed nozzle in alcohol and then try to clean it with the wire. The other way, try to flush it with a regular polymer, such as plain PLA or ABS. If nothing works you just may need to change the nozzle. The best way is to prevent blockage happen is not to leave filament sitting heated in the nozzle while printer is not actively printing. After the printing is complete, remove filament from the nozzle promptly and flush with a regular polymer filament. Please follow the storage guidelines to ensure the best quality of the material and use advised printing parameters to prevent material decomposition in the nozzle as the residues will cause blockage.

Reel diameter: 20 cm (7.87 in)
Reel width: 5.5 cm (2.16 in)
Hub diameter: 5.2 cm (2.04 in)