1 (edited by AZERATE 2017-04-27 17:55:36)

Topic: [ABS-MG94] Glow In The Dark (green) Powder Colorant

OS3DP has MG94 again!!!
The MG94 shortage seems to have ended, so I wanted to start with that. Anywho....

As usual, I got a new order from OS3DP.com, but this time I got a couple new toys to play with! Maybe you'll find an Easter Egg for a next review if you pay close attention wink

For this review, I speak of the Glow In The Dark (GITD) Green powder colorant. Let me say, I was blown away before I every mixed the GITD powder with pellets. Powder straight out of the box appears as such
http://i.imgur.com/EDwjvUx.jpg

But after 15 seconds of direct sunlight it glows impressively even in an indirectly lit room. It makes a nice nightlight.
http://i.imgur.com/SgYCmh0.jpg

Extruder:
Mostly stock Filastruder v1.6 #1870 extruding vertically with full barrel header wrap insulation, melt filter, and a Filawinder
http://i.imgur.com/5yJrPZ9.jpg

Mixing:
I did my usual drill method of mixing as described here. I added 3g of the GITD powder to 500g of MG94 ABS and it blended very well. Due to the opaque appearance of this powder, I never found any remnants anywhere, so it appeared to be very clean to work with.
http://i.imgur.com/nLpsJYC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5klCct1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ysYovox.jpg

Before dumping it all into the hopper, I wll admit that I added a couple pre-powder colred black pellets to see if the GITD would have any effect on it, which would end up in color banding, or at least a "speckled GITD" effect. However, if this is possible, the colors would need to be blended conservatively in the same batch since the black pellets took on an unnoticeable amount of the GITD powder.
http://i.imgur.com/QLS4Jt6.jpg

Extrusion:
{read takeaway comments for explaination}
Temp: 190-194c
Rate: 2"-9" per minute
Average diameter: 1.62-1.84

The filament had a light blue hue to it and I highly doubt barrel contamination was to blame since I purged it with some PA757+MG94 blend until it came out natural for several yards. Black can sometimes give an illusion of blue, but this is way to consistent to consider then "control pellets" I included since those sections just came out as a platinum grey.
http://i.imgur.com/zuqbeIE.jpg

Printer:
Home assembled Solidoodle 2 with E3D Titan, v6, Volcano, .6 hardened steel nozzle, Lawsy carriages, Printit Direct Y Drive, Sanguinololu, DRV8825

Printing:
I printed at my standard ABS settings of 243/97 and all turned out fine as you can see. However, I should have added a little more powder since the glow isn't very noticeable. While I could see a soft glow in person, it barely registered on an iPhone, so I had to adjust contrast. My thumb covers the lower left corner of the part.
http://i.imgur.com/KXYmMgP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FZIjIO6.jpg

Comparison to available filament:
I have only one prior experience with printing GITD which was Inland brand GITD PLA. It was natural in pre-printed appearance, but glowed green even though it was barely noticeable after prolonged sun exposure. The GITD powder definitely holds a charge just by holding it up to interior canned lights for 15 seconds.

Takeaway and comments:
At first, I extruded at 190c while purging after cleaning my nozzle, and by the time the former pellets (black) were running natural, I added the mixed MG94 GITD pellets which dropped extrusion down to an agonizing 2" per min and 1.84mm at one point. Debris? Temp? Probably a little of both because I bumped the temps up to 194 which gave me 1.62mm diameter for several meters, then stabilized to a more acceptable diameter of 1.72 +/- .02
The speed stabilizes and slightly increases even as I type this while running more.

My only letdown was that the GITD powder was so intense before extrusion and dropped a little after extrusion, but it definitely holds a charge better than the GITD PLA I've used for sure. So add a little more powder than I did and you should be a happy camper.
This powder is not available to the public as of yet, but will be soon. If interested, you should get in contact with OS3DP.com

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

2

Re: [ABS-MG94] Glow In The Dark (green) Powder Colorant

Glow in the Dark Green Powder is now available.  Compatible with PLA, ABS, HIPS, PC, and Nylon.

http://store.os3dp.com

-os3dp