Water-Soluble Resin: Easy Post-Processing with Water
4 min
Water-soluble resin is a 3D printing resin that is soluble in water and can be cleaned with water instead of traditional isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or other chemical solvents. This innovation reduces the need for harsh chemicals in post-processing, saving material costs and making resin 3D printing more convenient and environmentally friendly. This article will introduce the characteristics and usage techniques of water-soluble resin.
Source: https://www.crealitycloud.com/product/details/Water-Washable-Resin-Plus-6104fd428a69c7c919c39970
The main difference between water-soluble resins and traditional photosensitive resins is their solubility characteristics in water. Traditional resins are hydrophobic materials that are difficult to effectively interact with water, so organic solvents are usually used during the cleaning process. Water-soluble resin introduces hydrophilic groups into its molecular structure, giving it higher water solubility. This feature significantly improves its cleaning efficiency in water, thus optimizing the post-processing process of photo-cured resin.
Advantages of water-soluble resins
1. Easy to clean
Traditional resins require isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, acetone and similar solvents to remove uncured material from printed objects. Water-soluble resins simplify this process, allowing you to use clean water to clean your prints. Not only is this more convenient, but it also reduces the costs associated with purchasing and disposing of solvents.
2. Environmental protection
Compared with traditional resins, water-soluble resins have less odor and do not require the use of chemical solvents. In addition, wastewater treatment is simpler. The remaining water can be placed in the sun to evaporate until the resin particles are separated from the water and completely solidified. The resin particles are then filtered out and disposed of as general waste. Never pour water down the drain immediately, as the water used for cleaning contains uncured resin particles, which is harmful to the environment.
3. Safer operation
While all resins require appropriate safety measures, water-soluble resins generally have a lower odor and are less irritating than some traditional resins. But please note that it is still important to wear safety equipment. You will need to wear gloves and a protective mask during the operation to avoid direct contact with the resin.
| Feature | Water Washable Resin | Traditional Resin |
| Cleaning Process | Water | IPA or other solvents |
| Environmental Impact | Lower | Higher |
| Print Quality | High | High |
| Cost of Post-Processing | Lower | Higher (solvent purchase) |
Main applications of water-soluble resins
Water-soluble resins are as versatile as traditional resin materials, including miniatures and prototyping, and can meet most of your 3D printing needs. There are many water-soluble resins on the market, and Phrozen's Water-Washable 3D Printing Resin is a good choice. With its washable properties, you can easily clean most of the resin residue with water, and only need to use alcohol to finish the last 10%. Clean. Simple resin can be dispersed in water and begins to dissolve with very few by-products.
Tips for using water-soluble resins
When using water-soluble resin, be careful not to soak it in water for a long time for cleaning. When designing the model, avoid too thin wall thickness or too fine structure, because the water-soluble resin model is brittle and easy to be damaged during cleaning or use. In addition, like traditional resin, cleaning wastewater needs to be properly treated after UV curing to avoid environmental pollution.
Water-soluble resins offer a simpler, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional resins. At JLC3DP, we provide high-quality 3D printing services using a variety of materials, including resin materials. Compared with other service providers on the market, our resin printing service prices have significant advantages, taking into account both economy and excellent quality. Your project can save costs while ensuring excellent results. If you have not used JLC3DP's online printing service, please upload the file to the inquiry system for price comparison first.
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