{"id":163950,"date":"2021-09-27T18:09:36","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T10:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=163950"},"modified":"2021-12-01T17:24:58","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T09:24:58","slug":"improving-the-look-feel-of-your-parts-with-chemical-smoothing","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/improving-the-look-feel-of-your-parts-with-chemical-smoothing","title":{"rendered":"Improving the look & feel of your parts with Chemical Smoothing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Additive Manufacturing comes with different processes that can maximize the aesthetic aspects of 3D printed parts. With a painting post-process for instance, 3D printing projects can be complemented with several colors for visually appealing parts. But can finishing options improve both the look and feel of 3D printed objects?<\/p>\n

With Chemical smoothing, it is possible. As its name suggests well, it provides 3D printed parts with professional, smooth finished surfaces and can also be done with a dyeing process.<\/p>\n

How does Chemical Smoothing work? How can it build on the strengths of your 3D printing project? Let\u2019s get into all the information you need to know about it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is Chemical Smoothing?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This process is the result of years of development and has been patented as a finishing option for laser-sintered thermoplastics.<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/h3>\n

This process relies on specialized technology in which parts are introduced. A steam-solvent is diffused throughout the chamber and the smoothing process then begins. As the solvent condenses on parts, a physicochemical reaction reflowing parts takes place. This allows to even out irregularities and the characteristic ridges of 3D printing.<\/p>\n

Once over, this stage gives way to a curing phase which solidifies and turns surfaces shiny. After the drying process, the solvent is evaporated, and the parts are ready.<\/p>\n

Why choose this finishing option?<\/h3>\n

As mentioned earlier, the first and key reason why one would resort to chemical smoothing is the fine surface finish it can give to parts. Indeed, 3D printed objects undergoing this process get a sleek, glossy surface and the feel of injection molding. To illustrate how fine chemically smoothed parts can be, the RA of the surface finish that this technology can achieve could be as low as one micron, depending on the specificities of the parts. This, in turn, allows for better looking and more professional parts.<\/p>\n

On top of these aesthetic benefits, chemical smoothing has another advantage of sealing and removing porosity from parts, hence to turn them more resistant to liquids and easier to clean. This suggests that apart from making parts more professional, chemical smoothing also helps improve their functionality for certain applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Which materials work with this process?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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This process has been designed for thermoplastics and can be used along with multiple materials. Now that you know what the benefits of chemical smoothing are let\u2019s talk about how it applies to different plastic materials.<\/p>\n

SLS Nylon PA12<\/h3>\n

This plastic material is used for applications across a wide variety of industries. When it comes to chemical smoothing, this technology is often combined with parts printed in\u00a0Nylon PA12<\/a>\u00a0such as electronic enclosures, figurines, or objects designed with organic shapes. Indeed, items designed with straight lines are usually homogenous, while parts with curves and round edges tend to display ridges that may need some refinement, hence the usefulness of this finishing option.\u00a0Going further with its applications, Nylon PA12 is also prized for its bio-compatibility and is a nice fit for medical equipment production. Note that chemical smoothing doesn\u2019t have any bearing on this property, as the technology has been certified for medical uses and as parts processed with it don\u2019t show any cytotoxic effect.<\/p>\n

Objects printed with Nylon PA12 come out white and with a granular aspect. Chemical smoothing can be employed to refine the surface and turn it glossy, or, with dying to apply color and smooth the surface.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01<\/h3>\n

This elastomer is a high-performance material and can be utilized for high flexibility applications in industries such as sports equipment or Automotive.<\/p>\n

Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01\u00a0has been developed for HP\u2019s Jet Fusion technology and is utilized for mechanical part production projects. It can be complemented with chemical smoothing without risk of degrading mechanical properties. Parts processed with this technology are sealed and perform better with fluids, and still benefit from the flexibility and sturdiness of TPU.<\/p>\n

Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01 comes out grey, and once processed with chemical smoothing, it becomes black with a glossy look. The difference in results before and after the process is drastic, as chemical smoothing significantly improves the surface finish of Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01 and completely removes its original granular look.<\/p>\n

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Processed Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01 part (right) and raw part (left)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Raw Ultrasint\u00ae TPU01 part (left) and processed part (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Technical information for Chemical Smoothing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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If based on the benefits we have covered, you have identified how you can take advantage of chemical smoothing, here are the requirements you need to know about:<\/p>\n

Parts intended for this finishing option must have minimum dimensions of 15 x 25 x 0.5 mm, and with maximum dimensions of 450 x 250 x 200 cm. Also, chemical smoothing can\u2019t apply to hollowed parts due to the powder excess that can\u2019t be removed from within.
\nAs the process itself takes 2 business days to be completed, chemical smoothing isn\u2019t available for express and economy production. Processed parts can be delivered from 7 days after the order.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

If you have a project in mind and wish to experiment how this finishing option can showcase your parts, or if you\u2019re looking for pricing information, you can\u00a0upload your 3D file on our online 3D printing platform<\/a>. If you need some specific aspects of your project to be addressed, you can also\u00a0get in touch with our sales team<\/a>\u00a0for more support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Additive Manufacturing comes with different processes that can maximize the aesthetic aspects of 3D printed parts. With a painting post-process for instance, 3D printing projects can be complemented with several colors for visually appealing parts. But can finishing options improve both the look and feel of 3D printed objects? With Chemical smoothing, it is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"kbtopic":[137],"kbtag":[126,643,94],"class_list":["post-163950","kb","type-kb","status-publish","hentry","kbtopic-case","kbtag-3d-printing","kbtag-chemical-smoothing","kbtag-post-processing"],"yoast_head":"\nImproving the look & feel of your parts with Chemical Smoothing - FacFox Docs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Introduction Additive Manufacturing comes with different processes that can maximize the aesthetic aspects of 3D printed parts. 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