Clear filament for pool stuff  

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

You will not be able to get truly transparent parts out of a common FDM 3d printer, despite a few postings on the web claiming that photos of crystal-clear parts were indeed done on such printers.

I have yet to actually see, as in hold in my hand, or even see photos of from someone I know and trust, any parts that truly exhibit glass-like transparency.

If you do a search here for threads on transparent printing (hint: use Google or DDG instead of the forum search) you will see examples of things that users here printed, which are indeed clear enough to show things such as written text through the object, plus links to the purported crystal-clear prints.

The photo below is typical of what degree of translucency you can expect from so-called transparent filaments, this in particular being PETg, without very tedious post-processing.  These are windows for a model railroad building, just a few mm thick, 100% infill, and show very little detail of what's behind them (which is a good thing for this particular model).

As for a pool environment, PLA is out as it's known to deform in hot summer sunlight.  I would also question that 3d printing is the correct tool for the job for any piece that needs to be truly water-tight and/or hold up under water pressure.  We have a transparent 'sight glass' in our pool's backwash line, and it's a piece of transparent pipe from the hardware store.

I recently printed the bracket (and other parts) for a pool alarm sensor and I did this using white (absorbs heat less) ABS.

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

Thanks jsw,

I also doubt that I can get it truly transparent prints although some have had success with polysmooth:  (probably not suitable for pool/outdoor use)

or with clear PETG: https://www.printables.com/model/15310-how-to-print-glass#_ga=2.173085419.931490844.1657914875-1801670987.1598897847

However, less can also do. I just wanted to know if it is a totally waste of time of if anybody have any experience/opinion about which filament type would be best to experiment with.

By the way, I read that white ABS turns yellow over time in the sun and that ASA would be better.

Best, Magst

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

I’ve printed some pool parts in white PETG and they are holding up well in the pool water which is chlorinated using a swcg. 

My parts don’t need to be water tight or hold water, or hold pressure; they just need to be able to survive being submerged in pool water and exposed to the sun.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

I do know that some white ABS, as it comes from the factory, is not as bright a white as many white PLA or PETg filaments.

I'm currently doing a print in MG Chemicals white ABS, and I would call it more 'paper white', as opposed to 'zinc oxide white' as Hatchbox PLA is.

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

Overture has some transparent PETG:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B08X6YK3SQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

Yes, thats the filament they used in the second link in my first post. Have you tried it?

RE: Clear filament for pool stuff

I got a spool yesterday but can't test it during the next days. I have already tested a China PETG.

https://www.printables.com/model/10131-detailed-calibration-tower/comments/324043#

It's not that bad but far away from this pictures of clear fdm prints. (I don't even believe this pictures are true)

https://imgur.com/tSJJOWg

The overture was cheaper and comes in a sealed silver bag. Did not open it, has to wait.