During the 3D printing process, the degree of drying of filaments is a key factor affecting printing quality. This article will introduce in detail the basic principles of consumable drying, the impact of moisture absorption on printing quality, and how to properly dry filaments.
Basic principles of drying filaments
A core principle is: the drier the filaments, the higher the quality of the printed model. Filaments easily absorb moisture in the air, a phenomenon called moisture absorption. The degree of moisture absorption depends on the material and environmental factors of the filaments, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure time.
The influence of moisture absorption on print quality
If the filaments absorb moisture, heating during printing will cause the moisture in the nozzle to evaporate, increasing the fluidity of the filaments. This may cause problems such as bubbles, wire drawing, material leakage, holes, roughness, and color difference on the surface of the printed part, and also reduce the mechanical strength of the printed part. Therefore, once moisture absorption is found in the filaments, drying treatment should be carried out immediately.
Pre-printing consumable drying recommendations
For applications that require high model strength and appearance quality, it is recommended to thoroughly dry the filaments before printing and keep them sealed during use to prevent moisture absorption again.
Filaments drying parameters
The recommended drying parameters for various filaments are shown in the table below.
The following parameters are recommended values based on the characteristics and environmental conditions of various filaments. In actual use, appropriate adjustments may be needed according to specific situations. Properly drying filaments can significantly improve the success rate and quality of 3D printing products.
|
Type of filaments
|
Drying before use
|
Drying agent protection during use
|
Blast type drying oven drying temperature
|
Drying time
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PLA and PLA-CF/GF
|
Recommended
|
Not required but recommended
|
50-60°C
|
8 hours
|
|
ABS and ASA
|
Recommended
|
Not required but recommended
|
75 – 85°C
|
8 hours
|
|
PETG and PETG-CF
|
Recommended
|
Not required but recommended
|
60 – 70°C
|
8 hours
|
|
TPU
|
Must
|
Must
|
65 – 75°C
|
8 hours
|
|
PC
|
Must
|
Must
|
75 – 85°C
|
8 hours
|
|
PVA and BVOH
|
Must
|
Must
|
75 – 85°C
|
8-12 hours
|
|
PA, PA-CF/GF, PAHT-CF/GF, PET-CF, etc
|
Must
|
Must
|
75 – 85°C
|
8-12 hours
|
|
PPA-CF/GF and PPS, PPS-CF/GF
|
Must
|
Must
|
PPA-CF/GF is 100-130 ° C, PPS, PPS-CF/GF is 110-140 ° C
|
8 – 12 hours
|
Notes
If the temperature exceeds the heat-resistant temperature of the tray during drying, the tray may deform or melt.
When using a drying oven, it is best to use a blast type, and the volume of the drying oven should not be too small. Try to keep the material roll away from the heating area to ensure a uniform temperature, so that the filaments can be dried as a whole, and the material tray and material line will not be deformed or damaged due to local overheating.
For PA filaments, if not used for a long time, be sure to use a desiccant and a sealed container for protection to prevent excessive water absorption and difficulty in drying.
PC filaments may become brittle and prone to breakage due to the accumulation of thermal stress after multiple “baking-cooling” cycles. Therefore, it is recommended to perform full sealing and desiccant protection during subsequent printing and storage processes after a certain drying.
Method for drying filaments during printing
In order to prevent moisture-prone filaments from absorbing moisture during the printing process and affecting print quality, there are three drying methods to choose from: ordinary non-heating drying box, heatable drying box, and multi-color material box. These methods can effectively maintain the dry state of filaments and ensure that they are not damp during the printing process.
Conclusion
Proper drying of filaments is crucial for the quality of 3D printing. Following the above guidelines can ensure that your 3D printed works have the best strength and appearance. By controlling the humidity of filaments, you can increase the success rate of printing, reduce the workload of post-processing, and ultimately achieve satisfactory printing results.
