Best material for parts used outdoors  

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

ABS

Sorry my previous comment seemed arrogant. With my experience ABS is best for outdoors. It can be difficult to print on an open platform.

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

Hi Gunter

PLA should not be used outside, it will be degraded by weather, and become malleable and sticky at lower temperature, which can happen on a metal pole with strong sun.

However, when ABS will have better resistance to outside weather condition, it's known to have lesser resistance to UV, so should be painted with a UV blocking paint.

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

Hi,

as far as I know, ASA is weather resistant material. See link below (test of ASA filament).

http://3dprintingindustry.com/2015/12/14/testing-asa-3d-printing-filament-weather-resistant-alternative-abs/

"ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) was created in the 70s by the chemical giant BASF, as an alternative to ABS, with increased resistance to weather conditions. It has exceptional strength and rigidity, high chemical resistance and thermal stability, and, above all, it ages very well and does not turn yellowish with time. Additionally, it has a high gloss."

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

Hi Roman,

Looks like ASA won't be easy to print on the mk1, 115°C Bedhead won't be reached on many printers :/ (I'm able to reach 105°C in 15 minutes thanks to cork insulation), but going higher will be difficult.

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

I believe you dont need such high temperature.

I just found ASA filament in local e-shop and print instructions are:
Nozzle: 250-255C
Bed: 60-100C
No cooling.

EDIT: lol, I missed english product information 🙂

Thanks to mechanical properties is ASA filament a polymer which is ideal for the production of the first functional samples before serial production for functional prototyping, manufacturing tools, but also for the production of goods for everyday usage including outdoor applications.

The advantage of this material is its excellent weather resistance, retention of physical features; eg. ASA has a rigidity higher than ABS and thus is suitable material for demanding applications. ASA material haslow levels of yellowing, which is very important for applications where long-term emphasis is placed on appearance. Another advantage is its good dimensional stability.

Diameter: 1.75 mm (+/- 0.05 mm)

Working temperature: 250 - 255 °C
Hot pad: 60 - 100°C
not cooling
Weight: > 750 g
Color: NATURAL

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

Hi again,
thanks for all replies to my question!

In the mean time I found this test on outdoor use of PLA: http://www.protoparadigm.com/news-updates/weathering-of-3d-printed-pla-objects/ (Region: 'Inland Northwest', USA)
It shows that PLA can withstand about one year outdoors with some degradation and kind of decayed appearance at some parts.

So the periode of use of course has to be considered when selecting the printing material.

Seems that long time testing for the particular used case can't be avoided.
That is what I will do for ABS, and later on may be for other filaments too.
First results expected in one year or so 😉

Gunter

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

I suppose for a year ABS will be just all right, depending on the thickness of the print: The thicker the better. I think if you use a dark pigmented filament, the outer layers of the material will degrade by UV, but they will protect the inner layers, so the print may still be working after years of usage.

I printed antenna holders from the following ASA fillament on a 1st generation Prusa printer (not the MK2) at the ABS settings without any problem.
http://fillamentum.com/collections/asa-filament/products/asa-extrafill-natural

Vojtech

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

I just finished a 1meter+ lighthouse in ASA on my new MK2. Temps were 250 and 80 bed. Zero issues, easy to use and definitely will buy this again for outside items. Love this printer. Pics and details to follow later. I bought my ASA from Filaments.ca (local vendor).

Re: Best material for parts used outdoors

I've just bought a spool of ColorFabb XT (black) to print a part for outdoor use, based on recommendations from others who have used it for such. Apparently, it has lasted a couple of years for them so far and resisted heatwaves, storms and snow! Fingers crossed!

Printed out parts and will hopefully install them tomorrow so will let you all know the progress...