ABS Filament Extrusion process and its Optical and Surface Characteristics 1

[Rick Kossatz]

Hi Fellas,

I currently produce and sell 3D printed products and I also produce my own ABS filament (natural ABS pellets + single screw extruder). As I seek a more opaque product with matte surface finishing, I´m unsure how the extrusion process (basically barrel temps and filament cooling) affects the final 3D printed results as we have the polymer basically melted twice during our process (first during the filament extrusion and then during the 3D printing itself).

I know that lower temps and slower cooling will result in a more opaque/matte extruded ABS FILAMENT, but will it have ANY impact at the 3D printed product´s optical characteristics/surface finishing (basically more or less opaque/matte) as we are melting it again during the 3D printing process?

Thanks in advance for your help, any input on the subject is much appreciated.

Best regards,

Rick.

 

[Compositepro]

The only way to get opacity is with a filler in the polymer, usually carbon black, silica, calcium carbonate, or other mineral powder. Similarly, without a mold surface to provide texture, a matte surface is made by adding particles to the polymer to roughen the surface. You could powder coat the filament as it is exiting the extruder.

 

[Rick Kossatz]

Hi Compositepro.

Thanks for the info provided, much appreciated. I will give carbon black a go as we are currently testing new filament colors by adding pigments and fillers (dry powder mixing process) like Titanium Dioxide (Ti02) and hydrated magnesium silicate (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2). Do you happen to know any ABS compatible matting agent I could try?

Cheers!

Rick.