Study Shows Some 3D Printed Objects Are Toxic

Re:Study Shows Some 3D Printed Objects Are Toxic by Animats on Monday November 09, 2015 @02:05AM (#10531730)

That's not surprising for UV-triggered photopolymers. A material that will go from a liquid to a solid with just a nudge from some UV light has to be quite reactive. Here's the Material Safety Data Sheet for one of Stratasys's "bio-compatible" materials.[1] That stuff has to be contained in a cartridge for safety reasons. Once fully cured, it's supposedly safe for dental devices. Here's Form 1's clear material.[2] Lower hazard ratings, but still hazardous.

If the curing reaction doesn't go to completion, some of the source material will remain, which is a problem. If further exposure to UV reduces toxicity, the 3D printing process isn't finishing the curing process.

ABS extruders should produce objects no more toxic than the raw ABS. ABS is rather neutral chemically. When heated, it may give off "irritating vapors", says the MSDS,[3] and its combustion products are toxic, but cold, it should be harmless.

[1] http://usglobalimages.stratasys.com/Main/Secure/MSDS/Dental%... [2] https://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/academic/class/15294-s15/resou... [3] http://download.makerbot.com/filament/ABS_MSDS_MakerBot_Stra...

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Re:Study Shows Some 3D Printed Objects Are Toxic by manmal on Monday November 09, 2015 @03:33AM (#10531910)

Since I carry around some of those UV-triggered photopolymers around in my mouth (dental resin composite), your post alarmed me somewhat. Here is a relevant article from 2012: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3532765/

TLDR: It depends on how well your dentist handles it, and also what compounds are used. There is cytotoxicity and the known effects of BPA, but you cannot find the word "cancer" in that article. And incriminating compounds are reduced over time ("aging").

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Re:Study Shows Some 3D Printed Objects Are Toxic by mistercow on Monday November 09, 2015 @02:46AM (#10531803)

> If further exposure to UV reduces toxicity, the 3D printing process isn't finishing the curing process.

Then that seems super solvable. There just needs to be an end curing phase added where the final object is exposed to UV for a little while.

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Re:Study Shows Some 3D Printed Objects Are Toxic by Animats on Monday November 09, 2015 @03:10AM (#10531852)

If the material is clear, translucent, or thin, that should work. Curing the interior of opaque materials may not work.

FormLabs admits that post-curing may be necessary.[1] But they don't sell a curing chamber. High-power UV curing chambers are not cheap.[2] Some people have reported success using cheap UV sterilizers, but that's going to depend on how thick your parts are. Nail polish curing UV devices are too weak. Real curing chambers look like a microwave oven, with door interlocks and a turntable.

[1] http://forum.formlabs.com/t/recommended-uv-chamber-for-post-... [2] http://www.cureuv.com/uv-light-curing-chambers-and-flood-lam...

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