Farsoon Expands Open Materials Platform with ALM Polymer Powders for Industrial PBF
Farsoon Technologies has strengthened its open materials ecosystem by qualifying a range of high-performance polymer powders from Advanced Laser Materials (ALM) for use on its industrial polymer powder bed fusion (PBF) systems.
The collaboration introduces three ALM materials—HT-23, PA11 Black, and FR-106—enabling applications that span high-temperature structural components, flame-retardant electronics, and safety-critical transportation parts.
This partnership is particularly notable given that EOS GmbH, a global leader in PBF technology and a direct competitor to Farsoon, is ALM’s parent company. The arrangement highlights a growing trend of strategic collaboration within the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, where material innovation and availability are becoming key drivers of adoption.
Farsoon’s open platform allows users to process third-party materials and fine-tune parameters without the restrictions typical of closed systems. By qualifying ALM’s materials, the company further expands its portfolio of validated high-performance polymers, giving manufacturers greater flexibility for serial production of end-use parts.
Three Materials, Broad Applications
HT-23
HT-23 is a high-temperature, carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK-based polymer designed for demanding structural applications. Positioned as a production-grade alternative to Ultem, it offers excellent heat resistance, flame retardancy, and chemical stability. The material is suited for industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturing, where performance under thermal stress is critical. HT-23 has been successfully processed on Farsoon’s UT252P ultra-temperature system, with application development support from AM Rauch.
PA11 Black
PA11 Black is a bio-based polyamide derived from renewable sources. It provides a balanced combination of strength, flexibility, fatigue resistance, and wear resistance, making it ideal for automotive, consumer goods, and industrial components. The material features a melting point of approximately 185°C, low moisture absorption, and certifications supporting long-term performance reliability.
FR-106
FR-106 is a flame-retardant polymer engineered for safety-critical applications such as electronic housings, railway interiors, and automotive cabin components. It delivers tensile strength of up to 44 MPa along with strong electrical insulation properties. The material also meets stringent regulatory requirements, including passing the FAR 25.853 vertical burn test, making it suitable for aerospace and transportation use.
Multi-System Compatibility
Farsoon has validated these materials across several of its polymer PBF systems, including the 1001P, 601P, 403P, and 252P platforms. This compatibility across multiple machine configurations allows manufacturers to scale production efficiently—from prototyping and development to full-scale additive manufacturing.