Why is isopropyl alcohol commonly used in 3D printing post-processing?

Why is isopropyl alcohol commonly used in 3D printing post-processing?

With the continuous advancement of 3D printing technology, it has become an indispensable tool in many fields such as industrial manufacturing, medical care, and education. After 3D printing is completed, how to process the printed parts to improve surface quality, remove residual materials and enhance physical properties has become a key link in the development of technology. Isopropyl alcohol, as a common chemical solvent, is widely used in the post-processing process of 3D printing because of its unique physical and chemical properties. Why is isopropyl alcohol commonly used in 3D printing post-processing? This article will analyze in detail from several angles.

1. The importance of isopropyl alcohol in removing printing support materials

In the 3D printing process, especially when using FDM (fused deposition modeling) technology, it is usually necessary to print support structures to ensure the successful printing of complex geometries. These support materials need to be removed after printing to obtain a clear surface and final physical form. Isopropanol is effective in dissolving many types of support materials, particularly water-soluble support materials such as PVA. Therefore, isopropyl alcohol is often used to soak or clean the print so that the support material can be completely removed, resulting in a smooth and flawless surface.

2. Isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning agent of high efficiency

In addition to removing the support material, post-3D printing processing also requires cleaning the surface of the print to remove residual dust, uncured resin or other impurities. Isopropyl alcohol has a strong dissolving ability and can effectively clean the surface of 3D printing, especially for resin printing. In the process of photosensitive resin printing (such as SLA or DLP printing), uncured resin often remains on the surface of the printed article. Isopropyl alcohol can quickly dissolve these uncured resins to ensure that the surface of the printed article is clean and transparent.

3. Isopropyl alcohol in improving the print surface smoothness of the role

In some high-precision 3D printing applications, surface smoothness is crucial to the final use effect. By soaking 3D printed items in isopropyl alcohol, the surface quality can be effectively improved. For some materials (such as PLA, ABS, etc.), isopropyl alcohol can remove tiny particles and burrs on the surface and improve the smoothness of the surface. This method not only removes excess impurities, but also makes the surface of the print bright and flawless, thereby improving the appearance and touch of the final product.

4. Isopropyl alcohol for different printing material adaptability

Isopropanol is suitable for a variety of 3D printing materials, including but not limited to ABS, PLA, resins, etc. This makes it a very versatile post-treatment solvent. For materials such as ABS, isopropyl alcohol can effectively remove residual grease, dust or impurities. For resin-printed items, isopropyl alcohol is mainly used to clean and remove uncured resin to prevent unnecessary substances from adhering to the surface of the material. Therefore, the wide applicability of isopropanol makes it an essential tool in many 3D printing post-processing processes.

5. Isopropyl alcohol safety and environmental protection

Compared with other solvents, the safety of isopropyl alcohol is higher. It has low toxicity and volatility, and the user can better control the safety of the operation during the post-treatment, especially in a closed environment. Isopropyl alcohol volatilizes faster, leaving no residue on the surface of the print after use, reducing the impact on the final product. Therefore, as a post-treatment solvent, isopropanol is not only efficient and safe, but also has less impact on the environment. It is an ideal choice for green production.

Conclusion

In summary, the reason why isopropyl alcohol is commonly used in 3D printing post-processing is mainly due to its strong cleaning ability, adaptability to different printing materials, and its relatively high safety. Whether it's removing print support material, cleaning surfaces, or improving smoothness, isopropyl alcohol can play a unique role. Therefore, the important position of isopropyl alcohol in 3D printing post-processing cannot be underestimated. It provides great help to improve the quality and accuracy of 3D printing parts.