Solvent For Welding/Smoothing PLA Like Acetone With ABS.

[PurpleDrank]

I've searched high and low to find what we can use to solvent weld and smooth PLA, but all Google has shown me are these crazy carcinogenic chemicals that are seriously hazardous to your health...

Until now that is...

Many people might even have this in their basement if they do a few plumbing fixes here and there, it's called Schwartz VC-100 and it's readily available at many hardware stores. It's slightly stronger smelling than acetone, I'd recommend a respirator if you're going to use it a lot, I even use one as a precaution with acetone.

Here is a link for Home Hardware:
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index ... 4105?Num=1

It works just like acetone on ABS, but it leaves a matte finish instead of a gloss. In the photo, the part on the left has been treated with VC-100 and the two scraps on the right have be fused together. If you get too excited you end up with a bit of a precipitate (white stuff on the left part). That's all I know from 10 mins of experimenting.

Don't forget to read the MSDS before you play with it!

Happy printing and sticking everyone!!

[JohnStack]

Were you able to weld anything together? It appears that you were able to smooth it.

[DonaldE]

Thanks for the info. I found the Google group thread and read through it. There didn't seem to be much of a consensus. I think everyone wants a solution that doesn't involve carcinogenic and/or highly acidic/basic solvents, but maybe that is too much to ask.

But that brings us back to the MEK equivalent that the kickstarter guys are using. They even have before and after pics. Maybe the forced flow of the solution over the part does make a big difference?

[jesse]

PLA parts can be dipped in wax, hot glue, or polyurethane to create a smooth surface.

Hot glue can be used to join the parts together.

This polyurethane is food safe: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161428963077

[DavidF]

you can vapor polish pla (from some mfg's) with ethyl acitate (MEK substitute) avaliable at the local hardware stores...