PP (Polypropylene)

Polypropylene filaments never have borne fruit common due to the difficulty of printing of this material (mainly by the warping effect present). While the new filament developed by the Spanish "3D Smart Materials" company has been developing the new strand of polypropylene PP Smartfil (1.75mm or 2,85mm) which is a PP filament whit additive especially in order to improve adherence to the printing surface, thus reducing the warping effect.

The main use detailed tips for obtaining good printing results:

1. Printing temperature: a temperature print 220ºC is recommended since at temperatures above this material would be too fluid and worsen the quality of printed pieces while below 220ºC polypropylene filament would be extruded with much difficulty.
2. Bed temperature: This filament Smartfil Polypropylene is especially additivated to prevent contractions / warping effect on the basis of the pieces. Therefore, it will take a temperature in bed 65/70ºC. Do not exceed this temperature and this excess would you showed greater contractions in the material.
3. Brim: Using brim (generation extra piece to increase contact surface edge) when printing and the first contact layer is low thickness to force contact between the extruded material and the base is encouraged.
4. Print area: You only get the pieces adhere to the base using sealing tape PP on the hot bed. The PP has a great affinity with himself, so it is the best method to obtain high adhesion between the material and the base (Notice:. When the sealing tape PP adhere to the warm bed, use the face paste upside down, because the face is composed of PP is higher and which is adhere well polypropylene filament). Therefore should forget the use of paint or the like for bonding this material.

• 4.1. Polypropylene tape: It is only possible to adhere the pieces to the base by using a PP tape on the hot bed. The PP has a great affinity with itself, so it is the best method to obtain great adherence between the material and the base. (Note: When the PP tape is attached to the warm bed, the face must be used. stick upside down, since the face that is composed of PP is the top and is the one that will adhere well to the polypropylene filament). It is more uncomfortable to use than Smart Stick liquid, although in cases where it can not be applied on a glass the Smart tick is the only feasible option. The tape should be applied with a spatula to avoid air bubbles that will leave a mark on the final piece.
• 4.2. Smart Stick Liquid Adhesive (RECOMMENDED): It is the solution developed specifically to achieve the best adhesion to the base of the Polypropylene filament. The ideal operating temperature of Smart Stick is 70-90 °C. In impressions where a great adhesion is required it is recommended to increase the base temperature between 90-100ºC for the first layer in order to achieve a great adherence between the material and the adhesive and later reduce that temperature to 70ºC so that increase the structural capacity of the adhesive.

* The typical values detailed in this table should be considered as a reference. Actual values may vary depending on the 3D printer model used, part design and printing conditions. We recommend confirming the results and final properties with own tests. For more information you should consult the technical data sheet of the product.