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Keeping Filament Dry: Refrigeration??  

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Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
Keeping Filament Dry: Refrigeration??

Being in a humid environment for 2-3 months of summer, I fight with keeping my PLA dry. Has anyone ever tried to store their filament in a poly bag in the fridge *OR* freezer?? Very little humidity in either although freezer would be better I think.. I have about 10 spools open at any one time.. and although I keep them in dry boxes, they still get some moisture in them.. I am about to open some PC blend for a small run of gears for an RC car.. so wondering how to store it without having humidy ruin it. To me, the freezer seems like a good option. Any thoughts?  (now you need to thaw out INSIDE the poly bag so condensation happens outside the bag as it thaws for use). 

Just as an aside.. I got a sample box from Polymaker for their PCMAX/PCBLEND and it comes in a foil bag.. MUCH better than the poly bags I'm getting for PLA/PETG.. that are coming wet.. Now Polymaker uses Polybags for PLA/PETG but wonder if foil should be the standard for us in humid conditions. I think too much moisture is ruining some spools.

Respondido : 16/08/2022 1:45 pm
towlerg
(@towlerg)
Noble Member
RE: Keeping Filament Dry: Refrigeration??

I'd wondered myself given how much uncovered food is desiccated in the freezer (BTW great way to store table  salt).  Maybe low temp. would damage filament?

Respondido : 16/08/2022 10:29 pm
Crab
 Crab
(@crab)
Reputable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Keeping Filament Dry: Refrigeration??

I don't think so.. some further reading seems to indicate the fridge is still humid (30-50%) but that is below my house at 60-70%. I'm thinking the freezer would be the place.. just to let the filament warm up in a bag so moisture stays outside. 

Posted by: @towlerg

I'd wondered myself given how much uncovered food is desiccated in the freezer (BTW great way to store table  salt).  Maybe low temp. would damage filament?

 

Respondido : 16/08/2022 10:38 pm
RandyM9
(@randym9)
Honorable Member
RE: Keeping Filament Dry: Refrigeration??

Sounds good in theory. My concern would be with any moisture trapped in the bag with the filament when stored in the freezer. That moisture is going to condense back out as the spool warms. Not sure how to prevent re-absorption. Worth a try maybe?

Respondido : 17/08/2022 3:37 am
Thejiral
(@thejiral)
Noble Member
RE:

Big energy waste aside, I don't know how dry it really is in a fridge or freezer but the big problem is the warming up and thawing, that would have to be done in a super dry environment, otherwise your spool will be dripping wet with condensation water (even if there is only small amount of humidity inside the bag). 

Just get a vaccum sealing bag and hand pump or an airtight storage container with some dessicant. I have my PC-Blend stored in the latter already for a good while with no sign of any moisture related problems. While you are at it, also get a dry storage box with a PTFE tube outlet so that you can also store it dry during printing. If you have that stuff already I think you are fine. 

Esta publicación ha sido modificada el hace 2 years 4 veces por Thejiral

Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4

Respondido : 17/08/2022 8:08 am
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