Igus 3D Printing Materials Outperformed POM in Benchmarks
New test data indicates that proprietary 3D-printing filaments and powders extend component service life over standard polyoxymethylene.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Materials Science
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Igus has released a white paper detailing testing results that show its additive manufacturing materials achieve higher wear resistance than traditional polyoxymethylene (POM) in grease-free applications. The analysis confirms these materials provide a durable alternative for specialized industrial parts.
Why it matters
The findings demonstrate that additive manufacturing—the process of creating components layer-by-layer from digital designs—has reached a maturity level where it can surpass traditional thermoplastic performance in high-wear mechanical environments. This transition enables companies to shift away from conventional, fixed-tooling production toward agile, on-demand part fabrication.
Igus 3D-printing materials, available for FDM, SLS, and DLP processes, demonstrated 8 times greater service life in VDI 2736 testing compared to POM. These materials integrate solid lubricants into the polymer matrix, maintaining structural integrity without the need for external grease.
The players
Igus
An industrial supplier focused on motion plastics, specializing in the development of self-lubricating polymers for 3D printing and mechanical engineering.
Framo Morat
A German precision engineering firm that manufactures gear systems and provided the test environment for evaluating the service life of Igus components.
The details
The performance gains result from the integration of solid lubricants directly into the polymer matrix, which allows components to maintain low friction without external lubrication. Additive manufacturing processes, including FDM (fused deposition modeling—extruding melted filament), SLS (selective laser sintering—fusing powder with lasers), and DLP (digital light processing—curing resin with light), eliminate the need for costly molds or traditional tooling required by POM production.
Timeline
- 2026-09-21
Igus released the findings from its performance white paper.
The Tech Race
The transition from conventional polymers like POM to advanced additive materials reflects a broader industrial shift toward parts that require less maintenance and shorter supply chains. This testing cycle positions 3D-printed plastics as a direct competitor to injection-molded components in high-wear mechanical assemblies.
Engineers and designers can now utilize FDM, SLS, and DLP additive manufacturing to produce high-wear gears and pivot points that outperform legacy plastic parts. By eliminating the requirement for external grease, these components reduce maintenance intervals and simplify design workflows for low-volume production.
The takeaway
The performance data confirms that additive materials are no longer just for prototyping and can now serve as functional replacements for established engineering plastics. Designers should monitor upcoming material validation tests to see how these lubricants hold up under extreme thermal stress compared to the VDI 2736 results.
Further reading
For more on the performance of additive parts in harsh environments, explore the latest developments in Materials Science.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bizcommunity.
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