Soft ABS after vapour bath

[Captain Starfish]

Hey folks

It's warm here at the moment (about 36º or 97º for the seppos) and I was surprised by my first vapour bath effort today - half an hour and it had certainly gotten to work. I pulled it out and left it in the breeze outside to off-gas.

6 hours later and it's still soft and pliable.

Is this just a question of patience, or have I wrecked it and need to try again?

[Eaglezsoar]

It should eventually off gas the remaining Acetone, but a question remains - what is the proper time to allow a part to reside in the vapor bath?
I would assume it would depend on the size of the print but that is only a guess. I could Google it and probably find the answer but I would rather
hear from someone who has experience with the correct process.

[Captain Starfish]

Indeed, went out to grab it and it's not there yet but it has lost a lot of rubberiness.

What I'd read before today was an hour in the hot vapour or an hour or two hanging at room temp. This was at room temp for only 30 minutes and I'd suggest maybe it was a little too long.

Next time I might check it every 10min or so

[mortinus]

Remember that the amount of "solvent" that is turned into gas is directly dependent on how much liquid acetone you begin with. The vapor will continue to "intensify" or gain stripping power until it re condenses into a liquid. I'd suggest trying cottonballs soaked in acetone as opposed to a big pool of liquid. I had the same troubles as you 'til I switched to some tightly wrung papertowels soaked in the stuff.

[Captain Starfish]

Got up this morning and she's all rock hard again, happy days.

Thanks mortinus, will give that a try next time.

[Eaglezsoar]

Remember that the amount of "solvent" that is turned into gas is directly dependent on how much liquid acetone you begin with. The vapor will continue to "intensify" or gain stripping power until it re condenses into a liquid. I'd suggest trying cottonballs soaked in acetone as opposed to a big pool of liquid. I had the same troubles as you 'til I switched to some tightly wrung papertowels soaked in the stuff.

How hot do you get the container after you drop in the papertowels and the part you are treating?