Although3D printed parts have many advantages, but they are generally not waterproof. Taking the time to waterproof your pieces will make them last longer and protect them from water damage.And,It only takes a few simple steps.
many people are rightThere is a misunderstanding about the meaning of “waterproof”. Basically waterproof and notthroughWater is different. Waterproofing means that water cannot penetrate (and pass through) the component, whileWaterproofThis means that water cannot enter or exit the component. In practice, ifimpressionWill be exposed to rain or wet weather, you may want it to be waterproof. Whether it stays waterproof or not doesn’t matter.
For example, if you wantTo 3D print a car part (like part of a bumper), it is not necessary to manufacture itWaterproofbut it must be waterproof to ensure that it remains intact despite repeated exposure to rain. On the other hand, if you printed a water bottle, it would beWaterproofto prevent liquid from losing.
In this article,magic monkey networkwill focus on how to3D printed parts are waterproofed. We’ll show you different methods, including material selection, slicer setup, post-processing, and testing.
A,Material selection
PLA, ABS, PP and PETG are waterproof sealsimpressionA good choice (source:Wrought)
Some materials are more sensitive than others to chemical reactions and deformation, resulting in parts that are not waterproof. If a material reacts to water, then a material made from that material3D printed parts are likely to deform when in contact with water or placed in a humid environment. The choice of materials should therefore be your first consideration.
but,This is not the only step. Although some materials may be labeled as waterproof, parts made from them may not be waterproof.
Material
If you want to continueFor FDM printing, you can consider using three main materials: PLA, ABS, and PETG. Although less common, polypropylene (PP) is also a material to consider due to its waterproof properties. Let’s learn them in detail.
Polylactic acid (PLA）：It’s not known for being the most waterproof material, but it works. This works well as long as it comes into contact with cold water rather than hot water.
ABS：It is an excellent waterproof printing material. Components may crack and warp at low temperatures, but otherwise its waterproof properties last a long time.
PETG：YesA modified material from PET (used in water bottles), it is an excellent material for making waterproof prints. PETG is generally considered waterproof and has excellent heat resistance. This material may be the best choice for printing waterproof parts, provided you also incorporate other waterproofing technologies.
PP：is waterproofPrintOne of the best choices. It is inherently hydrophobic, retains moisture well and has good chemical and impact resistance.
More considerations
The conditions to which the part may be exposed (and how often) should be kept in mind when choosing the appropriate material for your situation.
food safety
If you plan to useIf 3D printed parts are used for anything that comes into contact with food or drink, food-grade materials such as PP or PETG should be used instead of ABS or ASA. Before printing, make sure the manufacturer of your specific filament claims that it meets food safety standards.
heat resistance
Heat resistance has nothing to do with the water resistance of the part, but it may depend on the intended application. For example, dishwasher-safe parts are subject to extreme temperatures and large amounts of water, so the choice of materials is particularly important. Make sure you choose heat-resistant and waterproof materials, e.g.ABS or PETG.
UV resistant
Pieces exposed to sunlight for long periods of time will fade and become brittle. So if you’re thinking of printing garden items or bike accessories, it’s worth switching from PLA toMaterials with stronger UV resistance such as ASA.
two,Slice Settings
Adjusting the height of the layer can make the room more waterproof (source:Jackson O’Connell via All3DP）
3D printingOne of the most important factors is the cutting method and parameters.Alsothe setting determinesThe degree of tightness, fullness and protection of 3D printed parts will in turn affect their waterproofness.
It should be noted that even if the clipping parameter is3DThe waterproof aspect of your print plays a big role, but some designs are more difficult to waterproof than others. Complex models with lots of detail are more difficult, so be sure to keep your model as simple as possible.
Once the model is adjusted accordingly, the print settings are ready to use. Here are the most important parameters to take into account.
extrusion
Intentionally overextruding a print can make the part more water resistant because it reduces the chance of gaps in the print. You can do this by increasing the extrusion rate in your slicer (sometimes called“throughput”) to achieve this objective.
You also want better adhesion between layers of the print, which can be achieved by increasing the temperature. Raising the temperature can also help prevent excessive compression.
shell and trim
You need to increase the number of shells you use when printing. Adjust this setting to increase margins andThe 3D printed padding is partially wrapped around it. Three shells are a good starting point, but the number should be increased depending on the environment you are printing in and the materials you are using.
For example, if a leaking component is likely to damage your other items, it may also be a good idea to increase the number of crates you have. If you choose polylactic acid (For materials with low corrosion resistance such as PLA), the increase in the number of shells is greater than for materials with high corrosion resistance such as polypropylene (PP).
Additionally, consider using a higher fill rate. This will increase the infill of the print and help maintain the integrity of the structure.
Nozzle Size
While not a slicer setup per se, the wider nozzle helps make the piece tighter. A wider nozzle means a thicker extrusion line, including the outer shell of the part. Regardless of the number of shells, a thicker shell means there is less chance of a shell being accidentally printed thin enough to create holes or gaps during the printing process. Of course, a larger housing will only make waterproof printing easier, with or without a thicker nozzle.
Height from ground
Using a lower layer height setting can improve the water resistance of your print because it creates denser layers that are more conducive to water resistance. Smaller layer heights also improve layer adhesion, so even if you spend a little more time printing, the final object is less prone to cracking and leaking.
three,post-processing
Filler is a great way to fill in diaper lines and prevent leaks! (source:anossov, via Reddit)
Post-processing is carried out byOne of the best ways to waterproof 3D printed parts. Especially the layer smoothing treatment can produce a good waterproof effect. It blends the layers, eliminates gaps between lines and creates a tighter seal around the part.
There are several different methods for smoothing the layers, but the main technique involves applying a solvent to the soluble print. Some materials are soluble in certain chemicals. For example,ABS is partially soluble in acetone.
acetone: This is probably the most commonly used solvent for post-processing. The acetone steam straightening method is suitable forABS, ASA, HIPS, PMMA and polycarbonate filaments.
Epoxy resin: Another post-processing method is to apply epoxy to the print. Epoxy smooths out quicklyLayers on 3D printed parts make the parts less susceptible to the effects of water.
wax: Although wax is less common, it is also a good aid for waterproofing prints. It will not dissolve the layer like acetone will. Instead, it fills in the gaps between layers.
Four,test
Soak your piece in water for a few hours to see if it warps (source:Zydeco via Thingiverse）
Now that you have created your waterproof part, it is a good idea to test it. Don’t think right away that by following the tips above you will always have waterproof rooms.
Test printing can be a little tricky and may also depend on the geometry of the pattern. If the room can hold about a cup of water (whether that’s the intended purpose or not), try filling it with water and marking exactly where the water line is. Be sure to keep the room in a cool place and monitor carefully the next day to see if the water level drops significantly. If so, you have a leak.
If your piece does not contain water, place it on a scale and record the dry weight. Then let the pieces soak in a basin of water for a day. Then dry the surface of the part thoroughly and weigh it again. If your parts are much heavier now than they were a day ago, water may have gotten into them.
If your part is not waterproof, we recommend revisiting the tips above: adjust the microtome settings, apply a uniform epoxy seal or other post-processing method, or possibly use a different material entirely.
Daguang focuses on providing solutions such as precision CNC machining services (3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis machining), CNC milling, 3D printing and rapid prototyping services.
