| HS Code | 123374 |
| Product Name | 3D Systems VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40 Multi-Material Composite (VisiJet CR-BK + VisiJet CE-NT) |
| Material Type | Multi-material composite photopolymer |
| Composition | VisiJet CR-BK (rigid black) + VisiJet CE-NT (elastomeric natural transparent) |
| Color | Black |
| Hardness | 40 Shore A |
| Tensile Strength | 4.0 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | 15 MPa |
| Elongation At Break | 120% |
| Flexural Strength | 6.0 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 20 MPa |
| Izod Impact Notched | No break |
| Density | 1.11 g/cm³ |
| Compatible Printer | 3D Systems ProJet 5500X |
As an accredited 3D Systems VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40 Multi-Material Composites (VisiJet CR-BK + VisiJet CE-NT factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
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Production of automotive electrical connector seals from VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40 is carried out on MultiJet Printing equipment with a z-axis layer thickness of 32 µm and a build envelope of 518 mm × 381 mm × 300 mm; the printer meters VisiJet CR-BK and VisiJet CE-NT at voxel-level ratios rather than requiring a pre-compounded thermoplastic elastomer. In a typical engine-harness connector, the terminal retention body is assigned 100% CR-BK by volume, the wire-entry seal lip is assigned 100% CE-NT, and a 2.0 mm transition band is deposited in 25% increments from 75/25 CR-BK/CE-NT through 50/50 to 25/75 to suppress interfacial modulus mismatch. This digital-material ratio structure is selected to place the seal lip at Shore A 40 while the locking lance body remains at Shore D 80+, and the transition band prevents a hardness cliff that causes seal-body delamination during thermal shock exposure. The compliance envelope for this component class includes ISO 20653:2013 IPX7 for water immersion, USCAR-2-7 for automotive connector mechanical validation, and SAE J1455 for under-hood environmental exposure; elastomer tensile set is evaluated by ASTM D412-16. Downstream processing is tool-less: wax support material is removed at 35°C in a circulated bath, and the part is dried before harness overmoulding. Terminal parts include engine control unit connectors, sensor clip grommets, cable pass-through seals, and fuse-box connector seals. Published quantitative data for this exact multi-material grade is limited; print programs should be locked only after vendor digital-material verification reporting.
On production lines running ProJet MJP 5500X units, batch-to-batch variance in the transition band is primarily driven by material cartridge conditioning. If the CE-NT cartridge is loaded below 18°C or above 28°C, viscosity changes alter droplet formation and produce Shore A hardness deviation of approximately ±2 points. The 2.0 mm transition band is the minimum that supports repeated thermal shock from -40°C to 125°C without interfacial cleavage; reducing it to 1.0 mm creates a visible knit line between the two phases after 50 thermal cycles. Manufacturing controls therefore include cartridge pre-soak for 24 h at 23°C, print-head calibration before each build, and destructive pull testing of one sacrificial harness clip per build.
In handheld in-vitro diagnostic devices, the rigid base chassis and the elastomeric grip ring are printed as a single multi-material component to eliminate adhesive bond lines and to meet the ingress-protection requirements of IEC 60601-1:2005+A1:2012 and IEC 60529:2013 IP54. The addition ratio for this enclosure is 100% VisiJet CR-BK in the battery compartment walls and screw bosses, 100% VisiJet CE-NT in the grip ring and edge-seal regions, and a 70/30 CR-BK/CE-NT voxel blend at the elastomer-to-rigid interface where the grip ring intersects the main housing. This ratio assignment produces a Shore A 40 tactile zone without sacrificing battery-seat rigidity. Biocompatibility validation for skin-contact use follows ISO 10993-5:2009 for cytotoxicity and ISO 10993-10:2010 for sensitization when the device is classified as a body-contact diagnostic instrument; conformity declarations under EU MDR and REACH EC 1907/2006 govern market access. Downstream manufacturing uses the ProJet MJP 5500X platform with 32 µm layer thickness; after wax removal in a 35°C bath, the component is subjected to a 20-minute forced-air dry at 40°C to remove residual support fluid before ISO 11607-1:2019 packaging. Terminal articles include blood glucose meter housings, lateral-flow assay reader shells, and point-of-care coagulation analyzer casings. The exact transition-zone ratio must be verified against the supplier’s digital-material qualification report.
| Component zone | CE-NT volume fraction | CR-BK volume fraction | Target hardness | Reference test method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive wire-seal lip | 100% | 0% | Shore A 40 | ASTM D2240-15e1 |
| Automotive locking lance body | 0% | 100% | Shore D 80+ | ASTM D2240-15e1 |
| Diagnostic device grip ring | 100% | 0% | Shore A 40 | ASTM D2240-15e1 |
| Diagnostic battery boss and screw seats | 0% | 100% | Shore D 80+ | ASTM D2240-15e1 |
| Robotic bellows-like flexure zone | 65% | 35% | Shore A 40 | ASTM D412-16 |
Robotic end-effector tooling built from VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40 uses 100% CR-BK for robot mounting plates, locating pins, and vacuum-channel walls, while 100% CE-NT forms the part-contact suction lip and a 65/35 CE-NT/CR-BK blend is deposited in the bellows-like flexure zone to maintain Shore A 40 during cyclic collapse under 0.2 MPa vacuum. Compliance is defined by ISO 10218-1:2011 and ISO 9409-1:2004; elastomer properties are measured by ASTM D412-16 and ASTM D2240-15e1. Downstream production is direct digital tooling: nested build layouts, wax removal at 35°C, and inspection for residual wax in internal vacuum channels. Finished part types include box-picking suction cups, case-packing soft jaws, workpiece alignment fixtures, and robot-mounted cable strain-relief boots. Published test data for this exact component configuration is limited.
Under 200,000-cycle flex testing, the hinge root of a sport eyewear frame printed from RBK-ENT-A40 combines CR-BK for temple arm rigidity and CE-NT for the flexural hinge, with a graded ratio of 60:40 CE-NT:CR-BK in the hinge root to balance recovering force and cyclic fatigue. The frame is tested against ISO 12312-1:2013 for eyewear safety and mechanical robustness, while the elastomer hinge is evaluated by ASTM D412-16 tensile set and ASTM D790-17 flexural modulus after 200,000 flex cycles at 23°C and 50% RH; Shore A 40 recovery is degraded when the hinge cross-section falls below 1.2 mm because the CE-NT phase cannot dissipate strain energy without permanent set. Manufacturing uses 32 µm z-layer deposition on the ProJet MJP 5500X; after print, the frame is placed in a 35°C support-removal bath, then air-dried. Terminal products include safety spectacle frames, athletic goggle hinges, and ski-mask strap retention loops. Published fatigue data for this precise multi-material hinge configuration is limited.
On pilot-run quantities, the dominant failure mode is not tensile rupture but compression set at the hinge root. The CE-NT phase recovers less than 90% of its original thickness after 200,000 cycles if the hinge is printed thinner than 1.2 mm. A root radius of 0.6 mm is required to avoid notch-sensitive crack initiation in the transition blend. Cartridge storage above 28°C should be avoided because viscosity drift increases surface tack and support-material entrapment in flexural regions.
For wearable biometric devices, the single-piece housing is printed with CR-BK forming the sensor window seat, battery frame, and charging-contact isolation ribs, while CE-NT forms the strap retention groove, skin-contact rim, and button membrane. The material addition ratio assigns 100% CR-BK by volume to the PCB mounting posts and 100% CE-NT to the dorsal skin-contact flange; a 70/30 CR-BK/CE-NT blend is deposited at the housing-to-flange junction over 0.8 mm to prevent shear delamination during strap tension cycling. Compliance for this product class includes IEC 62368-1:2018, ISO 10993-5:2009 for cytotoxicity when the CE-NT flange contacts skin, and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Downstream production entails MultiJet Printing with 32 µm layer thickness and wax support removal at 35°C; no thermal post-cure is required, though the enclosure is conditioned at 40°C for 24 h to stabilize Shore A 40 hardness before assembly. Terminal converted parts include fitness tracker housings, medical wearable sensor pods, and smartwatch strap attachment bodies. Published data for the overmoulded strap-groove geometry is limited.
| Scenario | Standard code | Test or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive connector seals | USCAR-2-7 | Mechanical validation |
| Diagnostic device housings | IEC 60601-1:2005+A1:2012 | Electrical safety |
| Robotic end-effector | ISO 10218-1:2011 | End-effector safety |
| Sport eyewear hinges | ISO 12312-1:2013 | Frame mechanical robustness |
| Wearable biometric device | IEC 62368-1:2018 | Audio/visual and IT equipment safety |
| Analytical fluid handling | USP Class VI | Biological fluid contact |
In analytical fluid handling instrumentation, the diaphragm-pump body is printed as a continuous multi-material part from VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40. The CE-NT phase is used for the flexing diaphragm and sealing lands; the CR-BK phase forms the threaded compression nut, barbed fitting, and valve body. The addition ratio in the diaphragm is 100% CE-NT; the clamping annulus is 50/50 CR-BK/CE-NT to increase creep resistance without cracking; the body is 100% CR-BK. This digital-material layout is tested for fluid compatibility under USP Class VI protocols where the intended use involves pharmaceutical sample contact; the elastomer phase is measured for tensile modulus by ASTM D412-16 and for hardness by ASTM D2240-15e1. Downstream manufacturing uses a 32 µm z-step on the MJP 5500X platform, and support removal at 35°C in a circulating bath; because solvent retention in the elastomer can shift Shore A values, the assemblies are air-dried at 50°C for 12 h before functional test. Finished goods include HPLC degasser diaphragms, microfluidic check-valve bodies, and air-actuated pump seals. Published solvent-compatibility data for this specific CE-NT diaphragm configuration is limited.
At the nozzle root of an in-ear communication earpiece, the transition from a rigid acoustic shell to a compliant retention flange is printed with a 80/20 CR-BK/CE-NT voxel blend to reduce vibration transmission into the CE-NT sealing zone, while the retention band itself is 100% CE-NT and the shell is 100% CR-BK. Compliance includes IEC 62368-1:2018 for electronics safety, ISO 10993-5:2009 for the skin-contacting retention band, and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. The downstream process uses 32 µm z-layer MultiJet Printing, wax support removal at 35°C, and a 6 h drying cycle at 40°C before acoustic-port inspection. Terminal products include in-ear monitor housings, communication earbud chassis, and passive hearing-protection earpieces. Published data for this precise acoustic nozzle geometry is limited.
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3D Systems VisiJet RBK-ENT-A40 Multi-Material Composites is a two-cartridge photopolymer material set comprising VisiJet CR-BK, a rigid black polyacrylate-type build material, and VisiJet CE-NT, an elastomeric natural build material. The A40 designation denotes a nominal Shore A 40 durometer response in the resulting jetted composite, placing the system between the low-durometer elastomeric phase and the high-modulus rigid phase. The material pair is intended for MultiJet Printing systems configured for dual model-material deposition with a removable wax support phase. In operation, the two build resins are jetted from separate cartridges and selectively blended, dithered, or deposited in discrete zones to generate rigid, elastomeric, and transition regions within a single build sequence. The system is supplied as a composite kit rather than as a premixed resin, because the two feedstocks must remain isolated before jetting to preserve the phase contrast and prevent uncontrolled polymerization or viscosity drift.
VisiJet CR-BK functions as the load-bearing phase. Representative manufacturer data cited for testing under ASTM D638-14 place the tensile strength of the rigid black phase in the 45–50 MPa band, with tensile modulus generally above 1.8 GPa. The rigid phase contributes creep resistance, dimensional stability, and a black opaque surface finish that reduces the need for post-print coating when visual contrast or light-blocking behavior is required. VisiJet CE-NT functions as the compliance phase. Published characterization of the elastomeric natural phase indicates elongation at break above 100% and a Shore A hardness below 30, with a translucent natural appearance. The RBK-ENT-A40 configuration is therefore not a single-property material; it is a two-phase system in which local mechanical response is controlled by the spatial ratio of CR-BK to CE-NT. This ratio is defined through the build file and may be varied from discrete rigid black sections to fully elastomeric natural sections, with intermediate dither patterns producing graded compliance zones.
When the composite is processed at a nominal Shore A 40 target, the rigid phase restricts excessive elongation under load, while the elastomeric phase reduces bulk stiffness and improves energy absorption compared with a fully rigid photopolymer. The blend is therefore useful where a single printed component must combine structural mounting features and deformable sealing or gripping surfaces. The transition between phases does not require adhesive or mechanical fastening because the two resins are co-printed and cured as an interpenetrating interface. However, the interface quality depends on printhead cleanliness, cartridge lot consistency, and the level of wax support beneath transition boundaries.
| Material Designator | Phase Type | Primary Mechanical Contribution | Processing Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| VisiJet CR-BK | Rigid black photopolymer | High tensile modulus, creep resistance, dimensional stability | Requires controlled wax support removal to preserve thin wall sections |
| VisiJet CE-NT | Elastomeric natural photopolymer | Elongation, low durometer, impact damping | Lower hardness reduces tensile strength in unsupported regions |
| RBK-ENT-A40 composite | Dual-phase graded material | Intermediate durometer with local rigid-to-elastic transitions | Interface hardness depends on local blend ratio and exposure calibration |
Cartridges require equilibration in the build environment before loading to reduce viscosity differences between material bays and to prevent jet dropout in the elastomeric natural channel. In production-scale dual-cartridge MultiJet equipment, intermittent nozzle dropout in the CE-NT phase is a documented failure mode when cartridge storage temperatures differ excessively from printhead operating temperature. The build platform and printhead assembly must be free of residual wax and partially cured photopolymer from previous jobs, because cross-contamination between CR-BK and CE-NT can shift the final durometer beyond the A40 target. Layer-by-layer deposition occurs with the model materials and support wax jetted simultaneously, followed by ultraviolet curing. The standard layer thickness for this system is 32 µm, which provides sufficient resolution for thin elastomeric lips, seal beads, and fine transition zones. Unsupported overhangs and steep transitions should be supported with the designated wax material to prevent phase boundary sag or delamination before cure completion.
After the build, wax support removal is performed in a heated convection oven according to the system work instruction, followed by an isopropyl alcohol rinse and forced air drying. The elastomeric natural phase should not be exposed to chlorinated solvents or ketones because these agents can induce swelling or surface tack. Thin elastomeric sections may retain wax in deep undercuts; ultrasonic cleaning in a compatible solvent may be employed only after confirming chemical compatibility with the specific CE-NT lot. Post-cure embrittlement of the elastomeric region is possible if parts are exposed to prolonged high-intensity UV beyond the manufacturer-defined post-cure protocol. This embrittlement is particularly evident at the rigid-to-elastic interface, where differential shrinkage can create localized stress concentrations.
On dual-cartridge installations, batch-to-batch variation in CE-NT viscosity can alter edge acuity at fine transition features. Without a documented cartridge conditioning step, the elastic phase may spread during jetted deposition and blur intended dither patterns. The resulting part may then exhibit a broader compliance gradient than the build file specifies. Stabilizing cartridge temperature and allowing the printhead to reach steady-state jetting conditions reduces this effect, but full production qualification requires periodic verification of blended hardness using coupon-level testing against the A40 requirement.
The RBK-ENT-A40 material system is employed in workflows where a rigid framework must be combined with a soft-touch grip, sealing surface, hinged flexure, or anatomical contact feature without constructing a multi-cavity injection mold. The jetted process removes the need for elastomer overmolding tooling and permits direct printing of interlocking rigid and elastomeric geometries. Typical application geometries include handpieces with rigid black housings and natural elastomeric grip zones, instruments with flexible return springs, and medical or dental demonstration models that require bone-like rigid sections adjacent to soft-tissue-simulating elastomeric volumes. The material pair is not a direct thermomechanical substitute for injection-molded thermoplastic elastomers or cast polyurethanes; its chemical resistance, long-term fatigue behavior, and thermal stability must be validated for the specific application.
Compared with a single-feed VisiJet rigid black material, RBK-ENT-A40 sacrifices overall stiffness when the elastomeric ratio is high, but provides local compliance without secondary assembly. Compared with a standalone elastomeric natural material, the A40 blend raises hardness and reduces excessive deformation under load. Compared with sequential multi-material fused deposition modeling, the MultiJet process does not require tool changes or mechanical interlocking artifacts because both phases are jetted at 32 µm layer thickness and cured within the same layer. The rigid-to-soft transition can be made as a continuous gradient, which is difficult to achieve with discrete extruder-based dual-material heads. However, published data for this specific blended configuration is limited, and the mechanical behavior of gradient regions should be characterized on printed test coupons using ASTM D638-14 and ASTM D2240-15 rather than extrapolated from the individual CR-BK and CE-NT datasheets.
| Evaluation Type | Applicable Standard or Reference |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength, modulus, elongation | ASTM D638-14 |
| Shore hardness of elastomeric and blended regions | ASTM D2240-15 |
| Flexural properties of rigid-dominant sections | ASTM D790-17 |
| Biological evaluation planning and matrix | ISO 10993-1:2018 |
| Chemical characterization of medical device materials | ISO 10993-18:2020 |
| Quality management for medical device workflows | ISO 13485:2016 |
Regulatory documentation for the RBK-ENT-A40 kit should be requested from the material supplier in lot-specific form, including certificates of analysis and material safety data sheets. The kit is subject to chemical inventory obligations under REACH and restricts hazardous substances according to RoHS 2011/65/EU. If parts are intended for transient patient contact or surgical device components, the device manufacturer is responsible for verifying biocompatibility under ISO 10993-1:2018, including cytotoxic, sensitization, and irritation endpoints appropriate to the exposure duration. The A40 composite may not be assumed to meet any medical-grade claim solely from the use of a biocompatible-listed base resin; post-print support removal residues, storage conditions, and post-cure parameters can affect the final biological response.
Operational boundaries include temperature-controlled storage away from direct ultraviolet light and moisture. Cartridges should remain sealed until loaded, and opened cartridges should be tracked by lot and date because ambient moisture can affect jetted layer wetting and interphase adhesion. The material system is incompatible with amine-based additives or accelerator chemistry that may induce premature crosslinking or phase separation. It should not be blended with non-VisiJet resins or support waxes in the same material bay, because such mixing can invalidate the Shore A 40 designation and produce unpredictable jetted phase behavior. For thin-walled rigid sections below approximately 1 mm, process adjustment may be required to prevent distortion during support removal and post-cure thermal exposure. For elastomeric sections thinner than 0.5 mm, tear strength and local delamination should be verified before production use because the jetted interface may be more notch-sensitive than the bulk elastomeric natural phase.
