Polypropylene (PP)

Daniel Aarts

Technical Director at Innoseal Europe

Sinterit’s Lisa X has allowed us to reduce lead-times and create better solutions — faster, helping us satisfy our customers. We have looked at other 3D printing methods, and other brands, but ultimately decided on SLS and chose Sinterit for their communication, and open material possibility. Something we couldn’t find in other suppliers of affordable entry level SLS printers.

Innoseal case study with Sinterit LISA X

Alberto Parolin

R&D Team Leader in BNP

Getting Lisa X solved a lot of our problems. It has a big enough printing area, so we almost always can print big components in one part. It wouldn’t be possible with competitive SLS 3D printing solutions.

See case study

Philippe Bendel

Additive Manufacturing Development Leader – Somfy

The main reason Somfy reached out for the SLS technology from Sinterit was productivity. Printing many pieces in one batch was a game-changer

SEE CASE STUDY

FAQ

How should I store the printing powder?

– Store the powder at room conditions ( ~23°C and 50% humidity – the lower humidity the better)
– Always store the material in a sealed dry box/container.
– Do not leave the container open.
– Clean the machine directly after printing and store the material immediately after removing the print cake.
– Do not let the powder stay in the printer for more than a couple hours.
– Put a few silicone absorbers in the container (but don’t add them to the printer)

Contact Sinterit support with your questions.

What is the difference between “Fresh” powder and “Starter powder”?

Starter powder is basically a print-ready powder. In Sinterit we distinguish three powder conditions: print-ready, used, and fresh.
Used is a type of powder that you get after the printing, present in overflow bin or remaining after printout cleaning.
Fresh is a type of powder that is being used for refreshing the powder. After mixing this powder with used powder you will receive print-ready.
Print-ready is a type of powder that you can simply pour into the printer and start printing.

Although printing using Fresh is possible it’s not economically optimal therefore Sinterit printers are optimized for using a refreshed (print-ready) powder.

Why do I need an ATEX vacuum cleaner to clean powder?

SLS polyamide powder used for 3D printing is considered particulate matter because of its size. Polyamide powder particles are generally 40 micrometers or smaller. If vacuumed in an ordinary vacuum cleaner, the powder could cause an explosion.

Such materials are subject to labor regulations on air quality and occupational safety. The procedures call for appropriate maintenance of powder at work. Only certified industrial vacuum cleaners should be used to clean such materials. More information about the ATEX Vacuum cleaner can be found here.

Contact Sinterit support with your questions.

Is Polypropylene a “special tasks” material?

It can certainly be said so. PP exhibits excellent chemical resistance, which is why polypropylene components are often found in chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories. Due to its low density, it is a buoyant material, and after use, it can be recycled.

What is Polypropylene (PP) powder used for?

It’s designed for prototyping and low-volume production of PP parts, especially in applications that require chemical resistance, buoyancy, and weldability—such as automotive components, custom lab tools, or pneumatic systems.

What printers are compatible with PP powder?

This material is compatible with Sinterit Lisa X and Lisa Pro 3D printers.

Does this material require a nitrogen atmosphere?

No, printing with PP powder does not require nitrogen.

What makes PP powder unique among Sinterit materials?

It combines excellent chemical resistance, low density (for buoyancy), weldability with other PP parts, and recyclability—making it ideal for both prototyping and functional use.

Is PP powder chemically resistant?

Yes, it shows great chemical resistance. Detailed resistance data for specific media is available on request.

What is the refresh ratio for PP powder?

The refresh ratio is 50%, meaning half of the powder in each new print job should be fresh.

Is PP powder suitable for parts exposed to impact?

Yes, it has good impact resistance with a Charpy unnotched strength of 30 kJ/m².

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Polypropylene (PP)