1 Topic by josh.aeauto (edited by josh.aeauto 2015-09-15 22:22:19)

  • josh.aeauto
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Topic: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

As a followup to my original post on Encom PC 2012, I am now using Lexan 141R for my PC filament extrusion instead of Encom 2012 due to the fact that the former is no longer available where I buy from. It is also almost identical to the resin that Airwolf3D uses for their PC filament - Lexan 143R.

The resin I ordered was already colored in black. I did this to avoid dealing with masterbatch.

Note that I am extruding 3mm filament.


Resin: PC - Sabic Lexan 141R
Machine used: Filastruder# 1577

FILASTRUDER CHANGES:
The only significant change that I have made is changing the HEATER power supply to 15v. This is necessary for higher temperatures - the original 12v heater is included as a safety to limit the heater's maximum temperature.

DETAILS:
Tip Diameter: 2.7mm
Extruded temperature: 255°C
Speed of extrusion: 10" / min
Filament diameter and tolerance: 2.85mm +/- 0.05mm
Pre-extrusion processing: Food dehydrator for 12 hours
Extruded PC vs purchased PC: My extruded PC has a slightly rougher finish than store-bought PC (from Airwolf3D). It's not rough enough to feel in most places but it can be seen from the reflected light. I suspect this could be fixed by drying the pellets longer, although it prints just fine.

COMMENTS:
-The datasheet suggests drying at 121°C (250°F) for 3-4 hours. This might fix the problem I am having with roughness.
-To fine-tune diameter, a change of 10° is roughly equal to a change of 0.10mm
-Extra cooling might be needed when extruding 3mm filament - PC and PC-ABS have a tendency to stretch at the nozzle. The weight of the filament also effects this, as does the filament not hanging in a perfect simi-circle (if using a filawinder). My filawinder is 30" away and the sensor is 15" down in the center.
- 1KG took 7 hours to extrude.


Sabic Lexan 141R
http://soliforum.com/i/?jVxcbQV.jpg

Filastruder Setup
http://soliforum.com/i/?ofshaBn.jpg

Dia. 2.85mm +/- 0.05
http://soliforum.com/i/?1VIUAJ7.jpg
http://soliforum.com/i/?079jHEJ.jpg

Extruded Filament
http://soliforum.com/i/?aJoMYAP.jpg

Part printed with extruded Sabic Lexan 141R
http://soliforum.com/i/?ozZ2WNw.jpg

-Prusa i3 MK2s
-Airwolf HD2x w/ E3D v6 + Volcano
-Custom built Solidoodle 3 clone w/ E3D v6+ Volcano    -Solidoodle Press w/ E3D Lite6
Filastruder #1577

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

I am curious how many people still use 3mm filament? Seems the majority of the machine being sold on the market now use 1.75mm.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by richh001

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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

Do you have a link of a good place to but some?
How is the layer adhesion?

Thanks Josh

I like 3mm, larger diameter means slower feed rate, more extruder gear reduction can be used, and more filament gripping area, great for Bowden-set-ups.

4 Reply by josh.aeauto

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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

Rich,

Here are some in grey from the same ebay seller I purchased from: Lexan 141 grey Unfortunately it looks like he might be out of black and clear right now, but you might shoot him a message.

Layer adhesion is outstanding. I have not seen any layer delamination at all, and on most parts I can't seperate the layers by hand even with tools. Not sure if you've printed with PC before, but warping is a problem with any PC, but I have found that a heated bed at 140C and a layer of purple elmer's glue works great.

If you want to try some of this stuff before you buy it, shoot me a PM and I can mail you a bit of it.

-Prusa i3 MK2s
-Airwolf HD2x w/ E3D v6 + Volcano
-Custom built Solidoodle 3 clone w/ E3D v6+ Volcano    -Solidoodle Press w/ E3D Lite6
Filastruder #1577

5 Reply by richh001

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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

I have only used ABS and PLA, Nylon seems interesting.......but, i think I will pick up 10Lbs from your link.

I intend to wait until winter to get some plastic and fill up my empty spools, I can easily get humidity in the house below 30%.

Thanks for the offer of free plastic, much appreciated.

I am not sure I can get my HB to 140C........

6 Reply by josh.aeauto (edited by josh.aeauto 2015-09-23 22:36:46)

  • josh.aeauto
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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

richh001 wrote:

I am not sure I can get my HB to 140C........

Bear in mind now that I have no enclosures whatsoever on my printers, so if you currently have or were to come up with some sort of enclosure to keep the heat trapped in, you might get away with a temperature much lower.

-Prusa i3 MK2s
-Airwolf HD2x w/ E3D v6 + Volcano
-Custom built Solidoodle 3 clone w/ E3D v6+ Volcano    -Solidoodle Press w/ E3D Lite6
Filastruder #1577

7 Reply by cor5151

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Re: [PC] - Sabic Lexan 141R (3mm)

Nice write up, ordered some of the grey lexan 141.
been using clear pc, but its been a bit finicky, also have a 15v psu so gonna try this stuff soon.