What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
I'm looking at 3D printing some parts but I wanted to ask if anyone here has had experience with fuel (nitro) safe plastics. For RC Models its mostly 25% Nitromethane, 55% Methanol, 20% Oil (100% castor or up to 50/50 mix castor/synthetic).
I know Nylon and Delrin will work but both are a little toxic to print. I need something that I can print regularly in my home office. Any help would be great. Thanks
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
Here's a good article that may push you one way or another:
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area. One notable mention was PLA's "formaldehyde emissions 5.2 times higher than outside air concentrations". It's just a number without more context, but formaldehyde isn't a great thing to be inhaling according to the American Cancer Society.
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
Here's a good article that may push you one way or another:
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area. One notable mention was PLA's "formaldehyde emissions 5.2 times higher than outside air concentrations". It's just a number without more context, but formaldehyde isn't a great thing to be inhaling according to the American Cancer Society.
that article is really bad, everything just done in comparisons like this 5.2 times higher stuff which says absolutely nothing beside "it does something but we dont know how much as its too small to measure or whatever dont ask me"
outside air has just about no formaldehyde so being 5.2 times higher is still like nothing.
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area.
What does that have to do with OPs question? He wants to know whch materials don't get destroyed my certain chemicals.
My guess would be PETG, since PET is resistant against most common chemicals. Just print something and put it in the RC-fuel for a few days.
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
Here's a good article that may push you one way or another:
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area. One notable mention was PLA's "formaldehyde emissions 5.2 times higher than outside air concentrations". It's just a number without more context, but formaldehyde isn't a great thing to be inhaling according to the American Cancer Society.
that article is really bad, everything just done in comparisons like this 5.2 times higher stuff which says absolutely nothing beside "it does something but we dont know how much as its too small to measure or whatever dont ask me"
outside air has just about no formaldehyde so being 5.2 times higher is still like nothing.
It's a great article if you're curious about the toxicity of filament printing. Don't rage on it because it doesn't say what you want it to say. Also, did you totally miss the part where I said "It's just a number without more context"?
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area.
What does that have to do with OPs question? He wants to know whch materials don't get destroyed my certain chemicals.
My guess would be PETG, since PET is resistant against most common chemicals. Just print something and put it in the RC-fuel for a few days.
If he didn't care about toxicity he'd just print with Nylon. Read the post. But if all you care about is a filament recommendation I recommend the PC+PBT blend offered by PushPlastics with great hydrocarbon compatibility:
https://www.pushplastic.com/products/pc-pbt
Edit: I would just consider not printing in an enclosed space if possible. It's not advised to inhale any outgassing or smoke, period. I mean I live in the city, and my air is dirty. I have a hepa/carbon filter that I use but I also have two printers in my apartment. I'm not the best model for clean indoor air, but I try. My point is...consider moving your printer location to a better spot or get a filter and print whatever you want!
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
Here's a good article that may push you one way or another:
In short, it says all 3d printers should operate in a well ventilated area. One notable mention was PLA's "formaldehyde emissions 5.2 times higher than outside air concentrations". It's just a number without more context, but formaldehyde isn't a great thing to be inhaling according to the American Cancer Society.
that article is really bad, everything just done in comparisons like this 5.2 times higher stuff which says absolutely nothing beside "it does something but we dont know how much as its too small to measure or whatever dont ask me"
outside air has just about no formaldehyde so being 5.2 times higher is still like nothing.
It's a great article if you're curious about the toxicity of filament printing. Don't rage on it because it doesn't say what you want it to say. Also, did you totally miss the part where I said "It's just a number without more context"?
I agree with Pixel. The article says nothing about toxicity. How toxic something is mostly affected by concentration and exposure. (As an example, Vitamin A is essential to good health. But if you have too much of it (like from eating Moose or Polar Bear liver) you will experience Vitamin A toxicity.) This article only talks about concentration relative to "background" or "outside air concentrations" without defining either. As it is, all this article does is wave hands around saying "Ooooohhhh! Look at what is here! Be scared!". The article doesn't mention anywhere how the measured levels relate to toxic levels.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
I agree with Pixel. The article says nothing about toxicity. How toxic something is mostly affected by concentration and exposure. (As an example, Vitamin A is essential to good health. But if you have too much of it (like from eating Moose or Polar Bear liver) you will experience Vitamin A toxicity.) This article only talks about concentration relative to "background" or "outside air concentrations" without defining either. As it is, all this article does is wave hands around saying "Ooooohhhh! Look at what is here! Be scared!". The article doesn't mention anywhere how the measured levels relate to toxic levels.
Yup, absolute concentration (AND time) are key. Enough of anything is toxic; you can even die from drinking too much water. Should I now be carefully weighing each glass I drink so I don't die because I drank 5.2x more than usual in the last week? I'm sure you'll agree that's just ridiculous.
Unless there's an absolute number to compare to a toxicity reference value like an LD50, it's just fearmongering.
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
"25% Nitromethane, 55% Methanol, 20% Oil (100% castor or up to 50/50 mix castor/synthetic)"
that fuel is hardly non toxic! just print nylon in a well ventilated area or use ducted fan to exhaust the the area above the printer to the outside which depending on the size of the parts you are needing to print may require a printer enclosure and for that if it is a seldom needed use go with this advice from Prusa https://www.prusaprinters.org/cheap-simple-3d-printer-enclosure/
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
"25% Nitromethane, 55% Methanol, 20% Oil (100% castor or up to 50/50 mix castor/synthetic)"
that fuel is hardly non toxic! just print nylon in a well ventilated area or use ducted fan to exhaust the the area above the printer to the outside which depending on the size of the parts you are needing to print may require a printer enclosure and for that if it is a seldom needed use go with this advice from Prusa https://www.prusaprinters.org/cheap-simple-3d-printer-enclosure/
+1
Re: What non-toxic 3D printing materials are fuel safe?
Wow thanks everyone for the replies.
I completely agree with moving the printers to a well ventilated area but for right now its not an option. I'm building one of the Prusa enclosures now as a stop-gab until I can get something better. But for now I have orders for fuel proof parts and I'm trying to find a material thats not going to kill me. Both my printers run full time about 18-20 hours a day 7 days a week so even PLA and PETG are going to be a problem with time.
Again thanks for the tips and Ill look into those filaments listed above.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.