Wet filament question
Hello,
I soaked some PLA (Fillamentum) in water for a few days. Then dried it shortly with a towel and printed with it. I couldn't see any change in the printquality.
I was just wondering if this is normal? Why take the trouble then to keep it dry?
Kind regards
"Man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it" -Confucius
RE: Wet filament question
PLA is less hygroscopic than other materials, Nylon being the worst.
RE: Wet filament question
Mine (Silver PLA) was in room, where was longer higher humidity (at least 5 days, on window were water marks). And at least top layer of the spool was doing the bum bum sound when in hotend. After un-rewind to second layer from top, it stopped doing it. Note that it was already a bit used, so not just opened.
RE: Wet filament question
Not everything happens quickly. Different filaments will react to varying environmental factors such as relative humidity, pressure, and temperature differently and unpredictably. The problem may never happen to you, or might happen seasonally, or frequently. The important thing is not to debate exactly if, when, and under what conditions it happens but to know what to do when it does happen.
I've printed with Paramount PLA for 3 years. I often leave a spool mounted for a week or more while working on a project. Here's a pic from December 31st, 2019 at the start of a big printing push:
I was doing a series of 24 hour+ prints. Here's what I found when I looked in on January 3rd, 2020:
I popped the spool into a dryer for a few hours and tried again. Here's the result on January 14, 2020:
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Wet filament question
It really depends on the roll itself some brands or colors are worse than other then you also have to take into account the material itself.
RE: Wet filament question
@bobstro
My experience is similar. I have have found hydration to effect printers differently. I have one Mini that is expecially sensitive. Paramount also seems to become more stringy than some other PLAs.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Wet filament question
[...] My experience is similar. I have have found hydration to effect printers differently. I have one Mini that is expecially sensitive. Paramount also seems to become more stringy than some other PLAs.
I haven't tested extensively, but it seems different colors can behave differently even with the same brand and type of filament. I've quit trying to figure out exactly why it happens and just focus on prevention (storing filament in sealed Ziploc freezer bags with a fresh packet of desiccant) and mitigation (drying).
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Wet filament question
Thanks a lot for all the input on this topic! I guess I will just dry it in the oven if I have some issues with stringing.
"Man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it" -Confucius