Filaflex Foamy

The Filaflex Foamy flexible filament is a TPU filament for FDM/FFF 3D printers, which features dynamic foaming technology. This flexible filament allows for the printing of elastic and lightweight parts with a smooth finish and texture, reducing weight and density to achieve superior material performance.

In addition to TPU, the Filaflex Foamy flexible filament contains a foaming agent that is distributed throughout the filament and is activated at high temperatures. This foaming agent causes the material to acquire a foamy texture and appearance, thanks to the dynamic foaming technology, which is also used in our PLA-LW LightWeight filament. In this way, we obtain very lightweight flexible printed parts with low weight and density.

Filaflex Foamy has an initial Shore hardness of 78A, making it perfect for applications that require elasticity and resistance to fatigue. We will achieve this 78A Shore hardness as long as we print the part using certain printing parameters, as it can vary depending on the parameters we configure in the 3D printer, reaching a lower Shore hardness of 51A (250ºC and 70% flow). Therefore, by adjusting the temperature, flow and speed, we can obtain different finishes of the same printed part with Filaflex Foamy. For example, if we work with a temperature between 245ºC and 250ºC and a flow between 60% and 70%, the material will expand and foam 1.4 to 1.6 times more than its original volume. However, if we print the material with a higher flow, between 90% and 100%, we will obtain parts with a higher Shore hardness, less elasticity, and without the foamy texture or finish.

With this technology, the Filaflex Foamy flexible filament spool offers unparalleled performance, allowing you to print between 30% and 40% more with the same amount of material. For example, if you print with the flow set to 60%, you will achieve a reduction in the weight and density of the printed part, obtaining between 30% and 40% extra material to print more parts with the same spool. This way, you will maximize your productivity, improving material performance and optimization.

Another unique characteristic of this innovative and versatile material is that we can also adjust the color tone of the printed part through the configuration of the printing parameters. The color tone of the material varies from lighter to darker depending on the settings used. At lower temperatures, we will obtain more intense colors, while at higher temperatures, the foaming agent will be activated and we will obtain lighter shades of the same color.

Improve your production process with Filaflex Foamy and achieve superior performance!

Applications

Filaflex Foamy is a flexible TPU filament  ideal for manufacturing soft and elastic parts that require lightness and low weight. Additionally, it is also suitable for parts that require a foamy finish or variations in density and hardness within the same part. This versatile filament for 3D printers is perfect for printing:

– Footwear, either the entire piece or parts and components such as insoles and soles.

– Bicycle grips or other devices, as well as bicycle seats.

– Flexible objects and parts for the automotive industry, such as bumpers, gaskets, tires, and grippers.

– Knee pads and elbow pads.

– Protective elements or parts that cushion impacts or fillings for sound absorption.

Discover how dynamic foaming technology works

Don't miss this video taken through a microscope where you can see the effect that heat produces on the filament.

Filaflex FOAMY, cutting-edge filament to advance in digital footwear manufacturing