{"id":2989,"date":"2022-01-10T23:30:54","date_gmt":"2022-01-10T23:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/printermaterials.com\/?p=2989"},"modified":"2023-01-15T02:12:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T02:12:01","slug":"3d-printing-post-processing-techniques-for-different-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/printermaterials.com\/3d-printing-post-processing-techniques-for-different-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Post Processing Techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the advantages of making objects yourself with 3D printers is that you can customize them using 3D printing post-processing techniques. That includes making sure they look exactly the way you want them to after they are printed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, many objects come off the printer bed with visible layers, rough surfaces, discolorations, and other imperfections. With a little touching up you can fix these blemishes and makes your pieces eye-catching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAFETY WARNING:<\/em><\/strong> Some of the techniques described below are dangerous and require taking safety precautions. Wear protective garments, including gloves and facemasks, and protect against burns of fires when using flammable materials. Follow all safety guidelines for handling the materials listed below and research all methods thoroughly before attempting them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3D printing Post-processing for PLA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"bronze-pla-3d-printed-statue-300x264\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several good ways to post-process your PLA prints. Like other filaments, you can apply heat to PLA objects to smooth their surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also carve and sand your prints to shape them. Abrasion works very well for smoothing out visible layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you use tetrahydrofuran (THF) on PLA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For more advanced post-processing, you can use tetrahydrofuran<\/a> (THF) to polish the surface of objects made with PLA. Here’s the scientific source<\/a> to back that up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety note:<\/strong> Just make sure to be super careful with THF because it is explosive under certain conditions. It’s also super toxic and will melt plastic gloves and plastic goggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, people have successfully used THF on PLA. See here for some user stories.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3D printing Post-processing for ABS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Gizmo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular ways to smooth the surface of ABS prints is to apply an acetone vapor bath<\/a>. This works by wetting a paper towel with a small amount of acetone and placing it in a sealed container with your ABS object. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acetone vapors from the paper towel will slowly dissolve the surface of the ABS, and as it does, the ABS will take on a brilliant shine.<\/a> This process takes several hours, and you will have to play around with the timing until you get the results you are looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t leave it in for too long though or else you may lose some of the surface detail on your print. Also, do not apply acetone directly to your ABS prints or else they will entirely dissolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n