Vapor Smoothing Finish Options For 3D Printed Parts

The Vapor Smoothing process is a chemical surface smoothing method that improves the part performance, seals the surface, and offers a smooth / glossy look and feel. One of the popular applications for this finish is smoothing TPU nesting that will be holding parts with extremely delicate class A finish’s like Matte Black. The smoothing process prevents fine TPU powder from rubbing off the surface of the nesting and ending up on the surface of the part that is resting on it. This chemical smoothing process fully seals the TPU part and prevents this from happening:

We utilize both a proprietary inhouse process for TPU smoothing as well as traditional smoothing machines from AMT for other materials like Nylon 12:

Examples of Nylon, Nylon 12 40%GB, and TPU rubber parts that have been Vapor Smoothed:

Examples of ABS parts that have been Vapor Smoothed:

Here at Forerunner 3D printing we have developed a proprietary process that allows us to smooth Lubrizol EstaneĀ® 3D TPU M95A-545 OR UV Rubber material, we are one of only 2 companies in the world currently able to print parts in this material and also vapor smooth them inhouse.

Another option for a part that has been Vapor Smoothed is to combine it with another coating process like our Cerakote coating process. The following are examples of a vapor smoothed part that has had Cerakote applied to it:

Materials available from F3DP that are compatible with this finishing process:

Market NameMaterial Composition & DetailsMaterial ClassAM Technology
PA 2200PA12Polyamide-12SLS
PA 3200 GFGlass Filled PA12Polyamide-12SLS
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12PA12Polyamide-12MJF
HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 Glass BeadsGlass Filled PA12Polyamide-12MJF
HP 3D High Reusability PA 11PA11Polyamide-11MJF
Lubrizol EstaneĀ® 3D TPU M95A-545 OR UVM95A TPU RubberPolyether Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)MJF
ABS-ESD 7Electrostatic dissipative ABAcrylonitrile Butadiene StyreneFDM
ABS M30Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)Acrylonitrile Butadiene StyreneFDM
PCPolycarbonate (PC)PolycarbonateFDM
PC-ABSPolycarbonate (PC)- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)Polycarbonate- Acrylonitrile butadiene styreneFDM

NOTE: This smoothing process adds an extra  1-2  days to the lead time for the delivery of parts.

AMT STANDARDS & QUALIFICATIONS

TEST TYPEINDUSTRYTEST STANDARDPRINT TECHNOLOGYPRINT TECHNOLOGYPASS / FAIL
Skin IrritationMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)MJFBASF Ultrasint TPU01Pass
Skin SensitivityMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)MJFBASF Ultrasint TPU01Pass
HemolysisMedicalISO 10993-4MJFPA11Pass
CytotoxicityMedical / DentalISO 10993-5 (2009)MJFPA11Pass
Skin IrritationMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)MJFPA11Pass
FlammabilityAutomotiveFMVSS 302MJFPA12Pass
Antibacterial ActivityMedical / DentalISO 22196 (2011)MJFPA12Pass
Aquatic / Acute ToxicityMedicalISO 11348-3MJFPA12Pass
CytotoxicityMedicalISO 10993-5 (2009)MJFPA12Pass
Intradermal Reactivity (Irritation)MedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)MJFPA11Pass
Skin IrritationMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)MJFLubrizol TPUPass
CytotoxicityMedicalISO 10993-5 (2009)MJFLubrizol TPUPass
Food Contact*IndustrialDS/EN1186-01:2002, DS/EN1186-03:2002, DS/EN1186-14:SLSPA12Pass
Skin IrritationMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)SLSPA12Pass
CytotoxicityMedicalISO 10993-5 (2009)SLSPA12Pass
Skin SensitivityMedicalISO 10993-10 (2013)SLSPA12Pass

Click here to download full AMT standards and qualifications sheet.

Have your own printers but need a source that can smooth your parts for you? We can help with that! We provide on demand vapor smoothing services for other companies as well. Our per run cost range from $275 – $375* and lead time is 2-3 days* for this service.

*Please note that these are rough budgetary estimates and are subject to change based on your part geometry, qty, and how busy we are with inhouse work.

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