When you start using a resin 3D printer Isopropyl Alcohol, it’s important to understand not only the different available options but also the basic tools for optimizing your prints. From material selection to practical advice, our website offers a wealth of articles to support you at every stage, from designing the model to post – 加工.
今天, we’re going to highlight a key element: isopropyl alcohol. This ally, highly praised by both professionals and beginners, plays a crucial role in maintaining 3D printers and cleaning printed parts. Let’s explore its characteristics, advantages, and limitations together.
What is Isopropyl Alcohol and What is it Used For?
Isopropyl alcohol, or isopropanol (IPA), with the chemical formula (CH₃)₂CHOH, is a clear liquid that evaporates rapidly without leaving any traces. It is produced by treating acetone or propylene with sulfuric acid. It is mainly used as a solvent for viscous substances such as oils, rubbers, 和树脂, and is also used in the production of acetone and other compounds. It is also used in the extraction of certain alkaloids and in the manufacture of cosmetics such as creams, lotions, and perfumes.
In medical settings, isopropyl alcohol can be used as a dehydrating agent, antifreeze, and preservative. Due to its compatibility with electronic and electromechanical materials, it is often used to clean printed circuits, heads, optical devices, as well as rubber rollers and disk drives.
What are the Applications of IPA in 3D Printing?
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is used in the post – processing of resin parts 3D – printed using technologies such as SLA and DLP. It is used to clean the printer and maintain the equipment while ensuring the neatness of the model. After printing, the post – processing process generally follows the same steps: 第一, wash the model to remove excess uncured resin, and then cure it to complete the polymerization, as it is only partially polymerized during printing.
Resin printing always requires precise supports. 所以, using a solvent such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is crucial for cleanly removing them. Besides this function, IPA can also help remove uncured resin residues from the printed model, build tray, and resin tank. Many manufacturers offer combined washing and curing solutions, using IPA or other solvents, allowing users to complete the polymerization and automate the post – 加工.
Isopropyl alcohol can be used directly or diluted, 例如, by mixing 70% alcohol with 30% distilled water for optimal results. It dries quickly and is an effective solvent, making it convenient for cleaning the print bed and model when there are material residues.
How to Use Isopropyl Alcohol?
Cleaning the Model
Resin 3D – printed parts must be washed to remove excess material; 否则, they will remain sticky and unsuitable. 所以, post – processing with isopropyl alcohol is very important for obtaining good results.
To clean effectively, immerse the parts in the solvent and agitate them gently. It is recommended to wash the supports before removing them. For complex models, a syringe can be used to remove the resin inside to prevent it from clogging the channels. 有时, two washing cycles are required for thorough cleaning. 最后, it is recommended to rinse with water before finishing the part to ensure there is no resin in the solvent.
Cleaning the Printer: Inside and Out
To ensure print quality and maintain the condition of the resin tank, it is essential to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the 3D printer. Internally, it is important to keep the top and bottom surfaces of the film clean by removing cured resin and debris left by printing. At this step, it is recommended to wear gloves to avoid any skin irritation caused by the resin. If the resin comes into contact with the skin, immediately rinse the affected area with soap and water.
For the outside of the tank, do not use IPA or other solvents on the inner surface of the flexible film inside the tank. It is important to check if liquid resin has accumulated or hardened between the film layers. To clean the bottom surface of the film, the liquid resin must be poured into an opaque container. 下一个, invert the tank on a clean, flat surface. Use a Pec Pad and a small amount of IPA to remove the residues. For the outside of the tank, a paper towel is sufficient to remove any remaining resin. Ensure that both sides of the tank are kept clean to prevent the resin from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the film, which may cause printing errors or damage to the roller holder.
Following these guidelines will protect the cartridge, improve print quality, and prevent printer damage.
Alcohol Purity and Price
When choosing isopropyl alcohol, it is very important to check its purity. All alcohols have different degrees of purity, and the alcohol sold in supermarkets usually has a purity of 30% and is not suitable for technical applications. So it’s best to avoid this. You should choose isopropyl alcohol with a purity of 95% or higher. Reliable online websites like Amazon offer isopropyl alcohol in 1 – liter bottles or 5 – liter cans at more favorable prices.
The price of isopropyl alcohol varies from about 5 euros for 500 milliliters to around 30 euros for 5 liters, depending on the quantity and brand.
Health Warnings
Isopropyl alcohol is an excellent solvent, but it is also a chemical substance that can be harmful to your health if inhaled or swallowed. It may irritate the eyes and respiratory tract and affect the central nervous system. When the concentration is high, well above the occupational exposure limit, it can cause severe symptoms such as loss of consciousness. Prolonged or repeated contact can also dry out and crack the skin, especially with direct and continuous contact. 此外, diffusing or spraying applications can quickly reach dangerous concentrations in the air.
If using this alcohol, it is essential to take precautions: wear gloves and a mask, and work in a well – ventilated area or under a fume hood. Since it is flammable, if the skin or clothing comes into contact with the pure substance, immediately rinse the skin and remove the contaminated clothing. If it gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes.
Besides these precautions, there is no reason to panic: it is a regulated product that, if used correctly and in accordance with the instructions on the label, does not pose any health risks.
Alternatives to Isopropyl Alcohol
Some manufacturers, based on their own preferences, product performance, or usage habits, choose cheaper and more effective solutions such as isopropyl alcohol. Some people also choose 95% or 90% ethanol, while others prefer acetone, which is available in supermarkets. Although some people sometimes use pink alcohol, most manufacturers do not recommend it because it can stain the print. 这 99.9% pink alcohol version may be an alternative, but it is not available in supermarkets. Others suggest using soap and water to clean the machine, although this does not always guarantee a perfect clean of the resin.
Formlabs also offers tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (TPM) as a good choice for cleaning resin from parts made of non – biocompatible materials. This solvent has a mild odor and, most importantly, is non – flammable.
If you want to be even safer, you can use a special solvent called “resin cleaner,” which is usually produced by companies that manufacture 3D – printing solutions.
Disposal
然而, if you decide to use isopropyl alcohol, you should be aware that it is a substance harmful to the environment and must be disposed of properly. 所以, to dispose of isopropyl alcohol, you must contact a waste disposal company. The bottles are usually made of plastic and can be thrown into the dedicated waste collection bin.
另一方面, isopropyl alcohol can also be recycled.
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