Instructions for Use IFU for colored 3D prints

Colored prints are not so prone to become hazy or whitish as clear resins do when they are cleaned with isopropanol, ethanol or even with our milder Cleaning Fluid Bio. Nevertheless, the use of alcohols reduce significantly the mechanical properties of most clear and colored prints, weakening and making them brittle. 

Learn more: Comparison of different methods for cleaning and post processing 3D printed resins

Printing

Follow our general Instructions for Use "IFU" and our more specific IFU for different printing technologies, which can be requested by email to info@3Dresyns.com after ordering our 3Dresyns. Clear and colored prints can be printed and cleaned with the the same Instruction for Use IFU: Instructions for Use IFU for ultra gloss and transparency.

Colored prints can be opaque or transparent depending on the type and dosage of the chosen colors. Especially, opaque colors limit the penetration of light during the light postcuring in the light box, decreasing the "cure" of the resin inside the prints. Undercuring can affect the mechanical strength, safety and biocompatibility of 3D prints since excessive uncured free monomer can leach out and be extracted afterwards during usage.

Engineering applications are not so sensitive to uncured free monomers in 3D prints as biomedical applications are due to health risks and safety concerns since they are in direct contact with the human body, such as the mouth in dental appications.

Neverthless, generally speaking undercuring may leave materials too tender initially, which will naturally postcure upon time and become harder. On the other hand, overcuring, with excessive light or thermal postcuring, can cause excessive embrittlement and degradation of prints.

When light penetration is limited due to the opacity of colored prints thermal postcuring can be used as alternative to light box postcuring. Thermal postcuring conditions depend on each specific resin system since some printed resins have limited thermal resistance. Normally, the higher the temperature and time of the thermal postcuring the higher the polymer conversion. Most 3D printed resins can withstand up to 80ºC, whilst some can withstand temperatures above 100-140ºC and others even much higher temperature.

Biocompatible protocols need to ensure that extractables and leachables are eliminated before usage to ensure safety and biocompatibility of biomedical devices.

For more info read:  Instructions for Use IFU for biocompatible resins