Compositions for removing support material from a 3D-printed object and methods of making thereof
Described are finishing solutions for removing support material and finishing 3D-printed objects. The finishing solution may contain a base (e.g., an aqueous base), an optional first caustic agent, an optional second caustic agent, an optional third caustic agent, an optional emulsifier, a polyol, a first antifoaming agent, an optional second antifoaming agent, and water. Also described are methods of using the finishing solution described herein.
1. A method of removing support material from an additively manufactured object comprising:
i) applying a finishing solution to the support material present on the additively manufactured object, the finishing solution comprising:
0.0002-20% by weight a base;
0.35-49.5% by weight a polyol;
0.005-15% by weight a first antifoaming agent; and
water,
wherein the finishing solution has a pH of 11 or above,
ii) removing the support material from the additively manufactured object or a portion thereof; and
iii) removing the finishing solution from the additively manufactured object.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support material resulted from a Polyjet printing process or a fused deposition modeling (FDM) process.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising heating the finishing solution.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising heating the finishing solution to a temperature of 115 to 150° F.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying the finishing solution at a pressure of 1-40 psi.
6. A method of removing support material from an additively manufactured object comprising:
i) forming a finishing solution by mixing a Component A and a Component B, wherein:
Component A, having a pH of 13 or above, comprises:
an aqueous base,
a filler,
a first caustic agent, and
a second caustic agent, and
Component B comprises:
a first antifoaming agent,
a second antifoaming agent,
a polyol,
an emulsifier, and
water
ii) applying the finishing solution to the support material present on the additively manufactured object;
iii) removing the support material from the additively manufactured object or a portion thereof; and
iv) removing the finishing solution from the additively manufactured object.