Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

Hi,
I'm printing some small parts to be submerged in tap water for long periods, months to years. I want to know if I use
PLA to make these parts, will they degrade or change over time. I have read that PLA absorbs moisture from the air.
Does anyone have experience with this or recommendations. I plan to buy some T-Glase filament and try also.

Thanks

are you wanting these items to be water tight?

no, they don't need to be watertight.

Technically PLA is biodegradable, but my understanding is it requires both heat and moisture for there to be any real effect.
My guess is it would probably be fine, but I don't know of anyone who has tested it.
ABS would be fine, as would nylon or TGlass, so I'm not sure it's worth the risk.

Thanks for the feedback,
just for fun, and trying to post photos, are the parts, these are a bit off as the infill is not joining the perimeter, the latest ones are better.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123952550@N03/
[img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/123952550@N03/[/img]

I've had 2 of my tenkara line holders submerged in room temp water and there is no noticeable change.

PLA is a bioplastic, but as far as general use is concerned just think of it as a regular plastic with a low glass transition temperature (go-soft-temp in technical terms). Companies use it every day for holding liquids with no issues as it's not water soluble (plastic cups and plastic meat trays are common). I wouldn't be afraid to use it submerged.
I say that, but it depends on what sort of water you're putting it into - my dad got some PTC fittings for his pool and the plastic fell to pieces within a month, but that's from the chlorine not water.

@Mhackney, how does PLA hold up in salt water - are the line holders in salt or fresh?

I printed some covers for sink pop ups that get hot & cold water on them. In use for ~ 3 weeks now without any noticeable degradation.
Printed in white pla & t-glas.

I'm only testing in fresh water but that's a good question about salt water. Time to setup another test!

cheers,
Michael

Sorry, I've just made more work for you :/

No worries, at least it's quick to set up!

mhackney wrote:I'm only testing in fresh water but that's a good question about salt water. Time to setup another test!

cheers,
Michael

be sure to get your salinity right!... if you live next to the salt lake like i do, it can be anywhere to 4-8 times the salinity of the ocean.....home to two types of species.. brine shrimp and brine fly.. blah... blah .... blah... Ive listened to the AM info channel tooo many times