D-Limonene

Limonene dextro is a naturally and biodegradable solvent substance that is extracted from the oil that resides in the citrus peel. It is a liquid with an oily and thick texture with a smell reminiscent of oranges and lemons.

In the field of 3D printing in FDM we can find parts that present great difficulties in its manufacture: Parts that require support, with areas of difficult access that prevent the correct removal of these supports.

In these cases it is very useful to use HIPS or Polystyrene (PS) to print the media of our design, since this material is soluble in D-Limonene. Once the piece has been submerged in D-Limonene, the HIPS will disappear giving rise to the piece free of support material within 12 to 24 hours.

It should be taken into account that the effect of D-Limonene as a solvent of HIPS depends on its degree of saturation. As the same amount of D-Limonene is used to dissolve the HIPS of different parts, its effectiveness will decrease until it is depleted.

Great results are obtained from the combination of ABS with HIPS (as support material). HiPS dissolves completely in D-Limonene and however D-Limonene does not interact with ABS.

It is important to emphasize the need for a double extruder printer.

Due to this great utility of D-Limonene and the growing search for biodegradable products in the field of 3D printing, the use of this product is constantly growing as it opens up a wide range of opportunities.

We must remember that D-Limonene is a flammable substance at a temperature above 48ºC, but it is not toxic. For proper storage, we must keep the container perfectly closed and away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry and well ventilated environment.