1 Topic by adam

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Topic: Polypropylene filament

So I got some polypropylene and polyethelene pellets from a plastic bag factory. I poured the PP pellets into the filastruder and out came some nice transulent PP filament. It is smooth and flexible. But I am having trouble getting it to stick to the build plate. I can only think of three possible solutions.

1. adjust the nozzle temp/speed/build plate temp settings
2. add some substance to the build plate the PP will stick to
3. mix something (like ABS) with the PP and make a blended filament

I have done my due diligence 10 second google searches, and am currently running thru different combinations of temp/speed settings. Any guesses would be apreciated.

I am just now extruding the PET pellets now, we'll see how that filament comes out.

2 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polypropylene filament

What are you using as a build plate?

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by adam

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Re: Polypropylene filament

Its Makerbot Rep 2x. It has a heated aluminum build plate.

I started out with the build plate cold and increased the temp by 10 degrees until it started to stick at 120 degrees. At 130 I figure the PP will start to deform - so I stopped.

I have tried with and without kapton tape and with and without hairspray.

4 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Polypropylene filament

Unfortunately, PP in the same family as PTFE (aka Teflon)...

Take a read on this though:

http://www.fighterkitecentral.com/pdfs/ … STICKS.pdf

I suppose a coat of contact cement over kapton (for easy removal) is worth a try, maybe a test print on a 3" x 3" spot centered on the print bed.

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
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5 Reply by adam

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Re: Polypropylene filament

I am willing to try just about anything. Thanks for the PDF!

I am thinking about finding some of these - Avery Easy Load Top Loading Recycled Polypropylene Sheet Protectors - and taping one to the build plate. The PP should stick to itself - does that make sense or am I missing something?

6 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Polypropylene filament

adam wrote:

I am willing to try just about anything. Thanks for the PDF!

I am thinking about finding some of these - Avery Easy Load Top Loading Recycled Polypropylene Sheet Protectors - and taping one to the build plate. The PP should stick to itself - does that make sense or am I missing something?

Worth a shot!!  Less messy than contact cement!

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

7 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polypropylene filament

This claims it is pretty easy:

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140111- … nters.html

But perhaps what you have is a different flavor of PP. I know that Sanjay at E3D printed POM on a POM sheet because it wouldn't stick to anything else.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

8 Reply by n2ri

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Re: Polypropylene filament

not in your home I hope in air you breath etc.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

9 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Polypropylene filament

I'm sure he took appropriate precautions, he's pretty knowledgeable when it comes to polymers...

https://plus.google.com/114513371427179 … maSq1J6YFN

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

10 Reply by Ggalisky

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Re: Polypropylene filament

IronMan wrote:

Unfortunately, PP in the same family as PTFE (aka Teflon)...

3d printed PTFE tubes!

Ulitmaker 2, a few repraps, Custom Big FFF 3D printer with heated chamber.

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11 Reply by adam

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Re: Polypropylene filament

Yes! Everything is ventilated and away from people and pets.

I am extruding the PET @ 145 degrees and the PP @ 140 degrees.

the PET does not does not stick at all. Right now I am test printing onto a ziplock bag that I glued down to the build plate.The build plate is cold and it appears to be sticking- at least for now.

12 Reply by MachineKing

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Re: Polypropylene filament

Polypropylene tape on glass works perfectly at 60-80C on my wanhao i3 plus.
Most clear packing tape is actually polypropylene I think. Any way I am using clear packing tape from my local supermarket and it works very well.

The only problem is that when an area has been printed on the adhesive sticks better to the glass than the tape so replacing the tape leaves behind a sticky mess I guess acetone should clean that off but I ran out...