Does prusament pla galaxy silver contain something harmful to human body as additives?
Hello. I mainly use 3d printer for cookie cutters. I'd like to know whether prusa pla galaxy silver is safe enough to use as a filament for cookie cutters. I know it won't be completely safe. I just would like to find out whether it has some additives that are harmful inside a human body or not.
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RE: Does prusament pla galaxy silver contain something harmful to human body as additives?
The PLA itself is usually harmless. You can look for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer to read up for yourself. However, it is not certified "food safe", so there may be additives. Also be aware that any nozzle other than stainless steel may contain lead, small amounts of which can leach into the print. With consumer-grade FFF printing, the print itself is going to have small holes which can harbor bacteria and are impossible to fully clean. Be careful using them more than once.
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RE: Does prusament pla galaxy silver contain something harmful to human body as additives?
The MSDS for Prusament PLA is on line here:
https://prusament.com/media/2018/09/PLA_safetysheet.pdf
The toxicology section reads as follows:
No adverse effects for human health are expected under normal conditions of usage.
Acute toxicity: (not to be expected)
Irritation: Not tested (not to be expected)
Sensitization: Not tested (not to be expected)
Repeated dose toxicity: Based on available data, the classification criteria are not met.
Carcinogenic effect: This product does not contain any carcinogens or potential
carcinogens as listed by OSHA or IARC
Mutagenicity: Based on available data, the classification criteria are not met.
Reproductive toxicity: Based on available data, the classification criteria are not met.
They tell me, however (the ubiquitous 'they') that PETg is more food-safe than is PLA, but this is what I've heard as hearsay.
RE: Does prusament pla galaxy silver contain something harmful to human body as additives?
PLA is a plant based ester/plastic/whatever... therefore relatively inert in the biology of most living mammals (according to most studies I've surveyed). It is what comes along with the PLA that is worrisome. Note that these tag-alongs are also on PETG, and most printable materials.
A nickel plated copper or stainless steel or tungsten carbide nozzle might reduce the risk of lead contamination. I am quite certain hundreds if not thousands of people have made cookie cutters with PLA using a variety of printers and nozzles and so far I've not heard of anyone mentioning lead poisoning or even food poisoning. The risk of course includes the fact FDM printing leaves microscopic holes in the part that bacteria loves to hide in.
https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=cookie+cutter&type=things&sort=relevant