How To Waterproof Your 3D Prints? - Makenica

Is PLA Waterproof?

If you’re planning to 3D print an outdoor model such as a tent stake, lantern casing, or GoPro holder, you’ll likely want these parts to be waterproof to withstand exposure to rain. So, is PLA, the most popular filament material for 3D printing in India, actually waterproof?

Yes! Sort of…

PLA doesn’t degrade when exposed to water, which is beneficial. However, parts 3D printed in PLA are naturally porous due to the printing process and the properties of PLA, making them not inherently waterproof. Fortunately, PLA can be made waterproof and capable of holding liquids without leaking. Want to know how to make PLA parts waterproof? Keep reading!

Will PLA Dissolve in Water?

PLA doesn’t dissolve in water, so PLA parts won’t disintegrate like sugar. This is because water isn’t a solvent for PLA plastic. However, there are certain liquid chemicals to be cautious of, such as ethyl acetate and some isopropyl alcohols. These chemicals, along with a few others, can act as solvents for PLA, causing it to dissolve. But don’t worry, these chemicals aren’t commonly found in rain or natural water sources.

How Long Will PLA Last in Water?

While PLA doesn’t degrade in water in the short term, parts made from this material can undergo changes if submerged for extended periods. If a PLA part is placed in water, it will start to swell and expand over time. This happens because the PLA polymer absorbs water, increasing the part’s volume. Similarly, if the PLA part is exposed to warm water or sunlight, it will begin to soften and become more malleable. However, for most practical purposes, a PLA model exposed to rain or even submerged in water for several hours or days should remain intact without significant issues in online 3D Printing India.

9 Ways To Make PLA Waterproof

Luckily, there are a few ways you can 3D print fully liquid-storing and waterproof PLA parts. In the sections below, we’ve gone over the processes and tips we like to use when making a part that we want to be waterproof!

1. Alternative: Use A Waterproof Filament

The first and most common cause of under-extrusion in the online 3D Printing services is a low nozzle temperature. The hotter the nozzle, the faster filament will melt so that it can be pushed out of the nozzle. But if it’s not hot enough to melt filament fast enough to keep up with the printing speed, you’ll have under-extruded parts. PETG: Our first waterproof material for 3D Printing online is PETG, a very strong and rigid material that’s also amazing for holding liquids. This filament material is actually derived from the same plastic found in many water bottles and Tupperware containers. Though printing it is a little bit more difficult than printing PLA, you basically won’t have to do anything to make PETG parts water resistant. Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene is another perfect material for making water-resistant parts because, like PETG, this plastic is very naturally water resistant used for 3D Printing in chennai. It’s also super hard to print, but it comes with some other benefits, too, like very high durability and visible transparency (most PP filaments are clear). GF30-PP (Polypropylene With Glass Fibers): Our third suggestion for an alternative filament to make water-resistant parts is a niche one: GF30-PP. This is a special type of composite filament that’s based on polypropylene but with some glass fibers mixed in. On top of providing additional strength over PP filament, it also makes for even more water-resistant prints with online 3D Printing India. If you choose to change to one of the materials we talked about above, then you really can stop here because parts printed in those filaments will hold water well right off the get-go. But if you’re sticking with PLA for 3D Printing in India, keep reading, soldier!

2. Increase Your Layer Height

The first thing to do if you’re trying to achieve perfect waterproofness with PLA is to increase your layer height while 3D Printing Bangalore. This will make the layers thicker and better hold back and resist water from getting inside the walls of the model. Additionally, increasing your layer height on prints will also make the model stronger because fewer layers equal fewer possible breaking points. You can change the layer height in your slicer program (e.g. Cura), and we suggest using a layer height of 0.28-mm minimum. Personally, we like to use 0.32 mm for the layer height, so don’t be afraid to go higher than 0.28.

3. Increase Wall Thickness Or Perimeters

The walls on a 3D print act as a barrier between the outside environment and the infill within a model. Since walls are 100% solid (unlike infill), having more walls reduces the likelihood of water penetrating your model. This is crucial for any 3D printed containers housing sensitive electronics or other non-waterproof components. Most default slicer profiles use a wall thickness of 0.8 mm or 2 walls with a 0.4-mm nozzle (the standard nozzle diameter). For PLA parts, we recommend increasing the wall thickness to at least 2 mm (5 walls) to prevent water from getting through. Feel free to increase it even more if necessary! For instance, if your model is very thin, consider setting the wall thickness to the width of the part to make it completely solid.

4. Increase Flow Rate/Extrusion Multiplier

The flow rate, also known as the extrusion multiplier in some slicer programs, is a percentage value that determines how much filament is extruded. While the default 100% flow rate in most slicer programs is theoretically correct, it can sometimes cause under-extrusion, making the model more porous and prone to leaking water. Increasing the extrusion multiplier to 105% or higher ensures that no under-extrusion occurs, sealing your model effectively. Although over-extruding can leave zits and blobs on the surface of your model, this minor visual imperfection might be worth it for the waterproofness of your model when 3D Printing in Bangalore.

Watch: How to Adjust Flow Rate

5. Increase Printing Temperature

As you may know, a higher nozzle temperature melts filament faster, allowing it to be extruded more quickly. However, raising the printing temperature without changing the print speed can also improve layer-to-layer adhesion, resulting in a stronger bond between the individual layers of your print. This not only makes your model more durable and stronger but also enhances its waterproof properties. You can achieve excellent results by increasing your nozzle temperature by just 5 °C, but feel free to go up to 10 °C for even better results. Be cautious of potential over-extrusion and loss of detail on prints, as these issues can arise from excessively high printing temperatures.

6. Use A Wider Nozzle Diameter

A wider nozzle diameter allows you to use a larger layer height, which can improve the waterproofness of your PLA model. Most printers come with a standard 0.4-mm diameter nozzle. Switching to a 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, or 1.2-mm diameter nozzle will enable you to use layer heights beyond what is achievable with a 0.4-mm nozzle. For waterproof prints, we prefer using a 0.8-mm nozzle with a 0.4-mm layer height, but you can adjust based on how waterproof your prints turn out while 3D Printing in Nagpur. Just remember to increase the printing temperature and lower the printing speed when using a larger nozzle diameter to maintain high-quality prints.

7. Increase Infill Density Percentage

The infill density determines how solid a 3D printed model is behind the walls. Higher infill density means more filament is used, resulting in a more solid print. While infill density doesn’t directly make a model more resistant to water, it helps a PLA 3D print maintain its form better. This way, the model can withstand being underwater for longer without deforming or swelling. In our experience, an infill density of 60-100% works well for prints intended to be submerged. We also recommend using a three-dimensional infill pattern, such as cubic, as it provides the most all-around strength for your model.

8. Apply A Coat Of Epoxy Resin

Similar to wood, you can apply a coat of epoxy resin or a similar substance to a PLA 3D print to enhance its waterproof properties. Epoxy is a popular post-processing technique, so if you’re new to it, there are plenty of tutorials available online to guide you. Simply paint the resin on every inch of the surface of your model. It’s best to apply multiple coats of resin to achieve the highest water resistance and add a shiny finish to the model.

9. Use SLA 3D Printing

Our final tip is to use an SLA 3D printer instead of a traditional FDM machine. SLA printers produce models with nearly invisible and almost non-existent layer lines, making it extremely difficult for liquids to penetrate the print. While this technically means you wouldn’t be using PLA, it’s a useful tip if you need a super waterproof model with 3D Printing services in Chennai.

Companies Using Waterproof 3D Printing in Their Products

Several companies across various industries have adopted waterproof 3D printing technologies to enhance their products. Here are a few notable examples:

1. General Electric (GE)

Industry: Aerospace and Energy

Application: GE uses waterproof 3D printing to create complex components for jet engines and gas turbines. The ability to produce parts that can withstand extreme conditions, including exposure to liquids and high humidity, is crucial for the performance and safety of their products.

2. Adidas

Industry: Sportswear and Footwear

Application: Adidas has integrated waterproof 3D printing into the production of their Futurecraft 4D shoes. The midsole of these shoes is 3D printed using a process that ensures durability and resistance to water, providing athletes with high-performance footwear that can endure various weather conditions.

3. Ford Motor Company

Industry: Automotive

Application: Ford employs waterproof 3D printing to produce prototypes and functional parts for their vehicles. This technology allows them to create components that can withstand exposure to water and other fluids, which is essential for automotive applications.

4. L’Oréal

Industry: Cosmetics

Application: L’Oréal uses waterproof 3D printing to develop packaging prototypes and molds for their cosmetic products. This ensures that the packaging can protect the contents from moisture and maintain product integrity.

5. Siemens

Industry: Industrial Manufacturing

Application: Siemens leverages waterproof 3D printing to create parts for industrial machinery and equipment. These parts need to be resistant to various liquids and chemicals used in industrial processes, ensuring longevity and reliability.

6. Decathlon

Industry: Sporting Goods

Application: Decathlon uses waterproof 3D printing to produce parts for outdoor and water sports equipment. This includes components for kayaks, diving gear, and other products that require resistance to water and harsh environmental conditions.

7. Protolabs

Industry: Manufacturing Services

Application: Protolabs offers waterproof 3D printing services to clients across multiple industries, including medical, aerospace, and consumer goods. Their expertise in producing water-resistant parts helps companies develop products that can perform reliably in wet environments.

FAQ

Now that you have some tips at hand for making your PLA prints waterproof, you might have a few additional questions related to affordable 3D Printing services. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about PLA and its waterproof properties and provided answers below:

Is PLA Safe for Holding Liquids?

Absolutely!

PLA is a popular choice for online 3D Printing because it is food-safe and won’t contaminate any liquids it comes into contact with. However, any loose filament bits in the model could end up in the liquid. Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly wash and clean your PLA model after printing to ensure it’s safe for holding liquids.

Can I Use Acetone to Smooth PLA Prints?

Acetone smoothing is effective for removing layer lines on prints made from ABS and ASA, but it doesn’t work on PLA. This is because PLA is not soluble in acetone (commonly found in nail polish remover), so the layer lines on the model will remain intact, and the part won’t become more waterproof.

Conclusion

In summary, printing PLA on a standard 3D printer with default slicer settings won’t yield a waterproof model. However, with a few adjustments, you can create fully waterproof PLA parts. Our top recommendations for achieving waterproof PLA prints include using a larger layer height, increasing wall thickness, and utilizing a higher printing temperature. Additionally, post-processing steps such as applying a coat of epoxy resin can further enhance the waterproof properties of your model.

Read More: Pharmaceutical 3D Printing : A Complete Guide