{"id":166203,"date":"2023-02-01T15:26:20","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T07:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=166203"},"modified":"2023-02-01T15:26:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T07:26:20","slug":"color-changing-thermochromic-filament-available-transitions","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/color-changing-thermochromic-filament-available-transitions","title":{"rendered":"Color Changing Thermochromic Filament \u2013 Available Transitions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another interesting desktop 3D printer material to try is the color changing filament. Manufacturers often surprise us with something new and unusual, like adding sparkles or multicolored segments on the spool. This time they got our attention by introducing a thermochromic filament, which changes its color depending on the temperature. Let\u2019s test how the color changing PLA works, and where it can be used. We will also list available transitions.<\/p>\n

Thermochromic Material \u2013 Color Changing Under Temperature Fluctuation<\/h2>\n

Outside of the hobbyist desktop 3D printing world, there are quite a few practical uses for such materials. The color changing filament property is valuable in baby bottles to indicate when the milk is cool enough to drink, for example. A specific color tone can also indicate when a kettle is approaching the boiling point. Jewelry pieces, such as \u201cmood rings\u201d, contain special color changing liquid crystals. Source:\u00a0Wikipedia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the \u201c3D printing at home\u201d world, we have come across the color-changing PLA. We suspect that the manufacturers chose\u00a0PLA<\/a>\u00a0and easier to deal with. If there is a demand in the future for other types of color changing materials, we could see it in\u00a0PETG<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0ABS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Changing Color with Temperature PLA<\/h2>\n

We first learned about color changing PLA when we saw the awesome makes of Jukka Sepp\u00e4nen (Kijaidesign) on Twitter. His nine-tailed demon fox has been displayed in a 20+ hour Octolapse time-lapse when color was changing in the process. As he used it to portray the fire this \u201cbright yellow \u2013 molten rock \u2013 cooled rock\u201d transition worked especially well. His models made us want to buy this filament to try it out.<\/p>\n

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laments: Wood, Color Changing PLA, Pink PLA Model: Dog The Gardener<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grey to Brown to Yellow \u2013 Color Changing PLA<\/h2>\n

Officially it is called \u201cBlack to Brown to Yellow Tri-color Changing PLA\u201d. To be precise, we would call it \u201cCooled Rock \u2013 Molten Rock \u2013 Fire Bright Yellow. The cooled rock would be a more suitable description for its initial color on the spool. When completely cooled down, it has a dark greyish color, similar to the stone. After sitting in the fridge, a bit of a greenish tone came through. The orange-brownish color kicks in at 30\u00b0C \u2013 45\u00b0C. We have to say that this is a very nice color resembling the molten lava. Sad that this color only stays for the shortest amount of time, and transitions further to bright yellow at the temperature above 45\u00b0C. Bright yellow also looks nice, only it is not as camera-friendly, unfortunately. When capturing a model in bright yellow, it seemed as if the picture was overexposed.<\/p>\n

Amolen Color Changing PLA Details:<\/h3>\n

Weight \u2013 1 kg
\nLength \u2013 340 m
\nDensity \u2013 1.2-1.25 kg\/m3
\n3D Printing Temperature \u2013 190\u00b0C \u2013 220 \u00b0C
\nRecommended Heating Bed \u2013 0\u00b0C \u2013 50\u00b0C
\nPrinting Speed \u2013 50-90mm\/s
\nColor Transition 30\u00b0C \u2013 45\u00b0C
\nAffiliate Link:<\/p>\n

Color Transition \u2013 Purple Blue to Pink<\/h2>\n

Another brand I tried is CC3D. On their selling page on\u00a0Amazon<\/a>, they have two more variations: Green to Yellow and Orange to Yellow. The color I bought was Purple to Pink. I don\u2019t know why they call it \u201cPurple Blue to Pink\u201d as my spool is deep purple. One of the images though, in the review section on the selling page, showed the Blue to Pink transition.<\/p>\n

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Dragon is below 31\u00b0C and lizard is above 31\u00b0C Models: Articulated Dragon and Lizard by McGyBeer \u00a93DWithUs \u2013 Prints & Image: Max Funkner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I printed a lot of models using this PLA while\u00a0testing Elegoo Neptune 3<\/a>. Didn\u2019t have any issues with the flow, even when printing such complex models with a lot of retractions as\u00a0articulated dragons<\/a>. With the printing temperature at 205\u00b0C, there were no issues with the stringing as well.<\/p>\n

Even though the purple to pink transition may feel a little bit boring in comparison to the tri-color option, I was pleased with the stability of the color shade. Pink stayed pink for a long time on the warm summer\u2019s day.<\/p>\n

CCD Color Changing PLA Details:<\/h3>\n

Weight \u2013 1 kg
\n3D Printing Temperature \u2013 205\u00b0C \u2013 215 \u00b0C
\nRecommended Heating Bed \u2013 50\u00b0C \u2013 60\u00b0C
\nColor Transition 31\u00b0C<\/p>\n

Unlikely Practical Uses<\/h2>\n

While testing the Amolen color-changing PLA, we\u2019ve discovered a few unlikely practical uses for it. Here are some examples of where its temperature measuring function can be applied.<\/p>\n

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Same material \u2013 different temperatures \u2013 a cup of tea and candle in a glass Model: Tree Stump Coaster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2013 Teacup coasters<\/strong>\u00a0will indicate how hot is your drink. Check our blog about\u00a03D printed coasters<\/a>.
\n\u2013 Heated electric devices<\/strong>. Our\u00a0Valentine Turkey set<\/a>\u00a0stands on a TV Free View box and indicates if it is powered or not.<\/p>\n

\u2013 3-in-1 test print<\/strong>. Sometimes designers are not sure in which color it is best to showcase their newly designed objects. So instead of 3D printing multiple prints in\u00a0different filaments<\/a>, it is possible to 3D print in one color changing PLA to compare at least in three color tones.<\/p>\n

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Amolen Dark Grey to Orange Red to Lime Yellow PLA. Model: Vica Illusion by chylld<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2013 Planter pots<\/strong>. If your\u00a0pot for the flowers is 3D printed<\/a>\u00a0in color changing PLA, it will alert you when it overheats, and the flowers may find themselves in an uncomfortable environment. This filament served us well when our \u201cDog the Gardener\u201d got overheated on the windowsill, and we had to rescue our little plants from the complete drought.<\/p>\n

NB! The manufacturer stated that in the exposure to the direct light this color changing feature may fade over time.<\/p>\n

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Before-after a prolonged sunlight exposure. The Dog\u2019s color changing effect faded.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We had our plants saved, but the color transitioning property faded away over time as per the manufacturer\u2019s guideline. Well, it was worth the experiment.<\/p>\n

3D Printing Ideas Using Color Changing Filaments<\/h2>\n

Volcanos, molten rocks \u2013 these are the first ideas that come to mind when we see this filament\u2019s color transition. High-temperature bright yellow could be a fire.<\/p>\n