PolyLite PLA UV Colour Changing

This PolyLite PLA UV Color Changing filament by Polymaker belongs to the PolyLite family of filaments designed for reliability and ease of printing, and is accompanied by the Temperature Color Chaning filament in the portfolio of color changing materials. This PolyLite PLA UV Color Changing filament was designed for the 3D printing of parts that change their color when exposed to UV light or sunlight. In the case of this filament, it changes from its natural color to orange.

Image 1: When exposed to UV light the 3D printed part changes color from natural to orange. Source: Polymaker.

PLA (polylactic acid) filament is renowned for its eco-friendly nature, derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. This biodegradable filament showcases minimal warping during printing and is known for its ease of use, sustainability and versatility. PLA filament appeals to both hobbyists and professionals within the 3D printing community.

Video 1: The Polymaker Jam-Free technology. Source: Polymaker.

Furthermore, the Polymaker PolyLite PLA UV Color Changing filament utilizes Polymaker's Jam-Free Technology which enhances the filament's heat resistance to 140 ºC, mitigating the risk of jamming caused by heat creep in the hot end. By boosting the filament's heat resistance from 60 ºC to 140 ºC, it guarantees a seamless printing experience without jams. It must be kept in mind, however, that this does not raise the part's heat resistance. An indepth review of the PolyLite PLA Color Changing filaments (both UV and temperature) can be found on the My Tech Fun YouTube channel.

Video 1: The color-changing PolyLite PLA filaments by Polymaker. Source: My Tech Fun.

UV color-changing filaments, also known as photochromic filaments, are crafted by incorporating photochromic compounds into the base thermoplastic material, in this case PLA, during the production process. These compounds respond to ultraviolet (UV) light exposure by triggering color alterations in the filament. This dynamic transformation allows the filament to revert to its initial color state when UV exposure ceases. UV color-changing filaments offer an exciting avenue for 3D printing, showcasing intriguing color-shifting effects under UV light, which find applications in both artistic and practical realms.