SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Permanent outdoor durability?

Re: Permanent outdoor durability?

null@example.com (TickTock) — Wed, 04 May 2016 14:01:29 +0000

I was looking into this as well. ABS is your best shot. If you make your own filament, you can add UV blocker masterbatch but I was unable to find a supplier that was willing to sell me less than 50kg. I figure 100g would be a lifetime supply.

Re: Permanent outdoor durability?

null@example.com (Heartlander) — Wed, 04 May 2016 04:11:24 +0000

Yeah, but things always go smooth in Chicago. Almost as smooth as Kansas City.

Okay, I'll see how it goes. Thanks, guys.

Re: Permanent outdoor durability?

null@example.com (AZERATE) — Wed, 04 May 2016 02:21:45 +0000

I made a rain gauge holder adapter in ABS about two years ago. It has been outside the whole time and it still holds up since it is just "sitting around" with no vapor smoothing....in Chicago!

Re: Permanent outdoor durability?

null@example.com (Weekend Avenger) — Wed, 04 May 2016 01:14:19 +0000

If it's ABS a decent shot of vapor smoothing tends to get rid of any chance for "pores or layers" still existing on the outer surface of your printed object.

I don't know how problematic the expansion and contraction due temperature change would be on the layers beyond the thin "skin" that acetone vapor smoothing provides.

Permanent outdoor durability?

null@example.com (Heartlander) — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:03:21 +0000

Has anyone had any experience with making objects for permanent use outdoors? I'm particularly interested in the ABS/metallics.

My daughter asked me if I could make a grave marker for her pet, which got me thinking of outdoor poetry plaques for my forest and garden. I am wondering whether freeze/thaw cycles are hard on them. I could imagine freezing rain getting in the pores and layers and causing splitting.