At Liqcreate we test our resins in a wide range of environments and with a combination of chemicals. The complete chemical compatibility 3D resin file can be found in the link. In this article we focus on swimming pool water. This is a mixture of water, active chlorine and additives and has the potential to soften plastics after extended immersion. As first results the materials were immersed for 7 days in swimming pool water before testing. Later the results of 5 months testing will be added. We have tested a range of our engineering and standard resins. The following resins were tested:
- – Clear Impact
- – Premium Tough
- – Flexible-X
- – Composite-X
- – Deep Blue
- – Flame Retardant HDT
- – Strong-X
From these materials mechanical test bars were printed, post-processed and cured according to the specifications. A reference material was taken and set at 100% properties. the deviation from this was set in the graphs after 7 days immersion in swimming pool water. the extended testing will follow in 5 months.
Image by Liqcreate: Chemical compatibility with acetone.
Swimming pool (chlorine) water compatible 3D-printing resin
Most tested resins performed well after 1 week of immersion in chlorinated swimming pool water. These properties remained within 80% of its original value. Only with Premium Tough we see a significant reduction in properties. Long-term testing in chlorinated swimming pool water is reported below. If you have any questions or remarks, reach out to us at info@liqcreate.com.
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Extended (6 months) 3D-printing resin exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water
What happens if you expose these resins for 6 months to chlorinated swimming pool water? All the resins were still intact, none were damaged or broken. But the properties do change for some 3D resins after extended immersion in chlorinated swimming pool water.
Especially Composite-X and Premium Tough soften after extended exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water. It should be decided per application if a drop to 40% of its modulus is acceptable for Composite-X. As the resin is extremely strong and rigid, a 60% drop in rigidity still gives a rigid material.
