Techmer PM, a leading materials innovation company specializing in advanced composites for additive manufacturing, has announced the commercial release of HiFill GF-PET, a glass-filled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) engineered for 3D printing intermediate-temperature autoclave tooling. Designed for use up to 250 F (121 C), the material provides a cost-effective alternative that bridges the gap between low- and high-temperature thermoplastic tooling systems.

As manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, wind, and marine sectors demand more reliable and scalable composite tooling solutions, HiFill GF-PET offers thermal stability, dimensional accuracy, and affordability. Tailored for large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM), the material delivers low and consistent thermal expansion and is supported by a dataset for tool shape compensation with ADDITIVE3D, a physics-based virtual twin developed at Purdue University s Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center. This allows users to anticipate dimensional changes during autoclave processing, enhancing precision and repeatability.

HiFill GF-PET addresses a persistent challenge in additive tooling, achieving dimensional and thermal stability at an accessible cost point, said Jenna Hunt, Business Manager of Engineered Compounds for Additive Manufacturing at Techmer PM. When paired with Purdue s compensation dataset, engineers gain confidence in meeting tight tolerances required for high-performance composite production.

The material s properties were validated by Center Street Technologies, confirming its print quality, machinability, and dimensional stability in tooling applications. Purdue University further emphasized the significance of HiFill GF-PET s integration with simulation-driven design, highlighting its role in advancing additive tooling accuracy through ADDITIVE3D.

HiFill GF-PET is now commercially available, with Techmer PM engaging OEMs and service providers in expanded tooling trials. Full technical documentation, processing guidelines, and shape-compensation data are available upon request.

Source: www.techmerpm.com