Dow OBC (Olefin Block Copolymer)

Polyethylene (PE)-based Olefin Block Copolymer (OBC) is made from a unique polyethylene-based material.

3D-Fuel, in partnership with Dow Chemical Company, have produced the IMAGIN3D™ OBC filament - a breakthrough material that brings polyolefin properties to 3D printing without the issues commonly associated with printing polypropylene.

OBC is a high-performance build material that enables the production of lightweight and durable 3D printed parts. It is best suited for 3D printers who need a high quality, lightweight chemical resistant filament.  This new material offers some great characteristics including:

• Excellent Printability
• Low Density (0.905 g/cm^3)
• Higher Durability
• Excellent z-axis property retention
• Chemical Resistance
• Consistent Printing
• and Low Odor

These material benefits enable new, high-end applications. OBC’s low flexural modulus and extreme fatigue resistance make living hinges easier and longer-lasting than ever. The low-density, durability, and chemical resistance are excellent for UAV, automotive, marine, and R/C applications.

For best results, use a PP- or PE-based build surface. Clear packing tape is an excellent, low-cost build surface option.

NOTE: Because DOW OBC is such a low-density material, the spool weights are lower than you might expect, but a full spool of OBC (768g) will print the same amount of parts as a 1kg spool of PLA. Pretty crazy, right? It's an excellent material for doing weight-reduction on your 3D printing projects.

Printing parameters:

Print Speed:   10-40 mm/s
Extruder Temp:  170-200° C
Heated Bed:    60-100° C
Build Surface: Clear packing tape/PP/PE

Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

One-Pager Info Sheet