Thermoplastic polymer with superior mechanical properties to ABS and PLA, good impact resistance, and high flexibility.
It is warp-free, allowing for the manufacture of large, high-quality parts. It can also be chemically polished with alcohol, allowing for the manufacture of highly transparent parts with a completely smooth finish.
It is a filament that can be coated with alcohol to achieve different effects. Completely transparent parts can be manufactured, or the surface can be polished to remove rough surfaces. achieve a pearlescent effect.
In addition, due to the fusion between layers, the part increases its structural strength, forming a continuous solid and achieving high watertightness.
When printing highly transparent parts, it is important to keep in mind that they must be single-layered pieces, so that the alcohol can penetrate the material evenly. If you want to achieve good mechanical resistance, it is recommended to use nozzles of 0.8 mm or larger.
This way, we will achieve a wall of sufficient thickness to maintain the desired mechanical resistance.
For a greater transparency effect in the finish using Glace, it is recommended to print using the "Spiral Vase" option.
1. APPLY ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Apply the treatment with alcohol (ethyl or isopropyl) with a concentration higher than 70°. The higher the alcohol content, the faster the process, although it is also more difficult to control. The different application methods are as follows:
Direct application by immersion:
Immerse the piece directly in alcohol, ensuring that the entire surface is in contact. Remove the piece and then let it drain so that the alcohol can evaporate freely. Keep in mind that this method is very aggressive, and if the alcohol penetrates too deeply into the piece, it can soften, changing its geometry.
Application by evaporation:
In a closed container, place a piece of paper soaked in alcohol, positioned so that it surrounds the piece. Next, we introduce the piece, being very careful that they do not come into contact. Close the container and let the evaporation affect the piece, achieving the desired effect.
2. LEAVE THE PIECE TO REST
Let the piece rest inside the container. Once the piece has been soaked in alcohol, let it air dry. Depending on the amount of alcohol absorbed by the piece, it may soften slightly. When the alcohol has completely evaporated, the piece will return to its original state. back to its normal state.
Following the previous steps, we manage to dissolve the surface layer of the piece, achieving a perfect union between layers and forming a continuous solid, which allows the material to acquire its transparency.
HOW TO POLISH A PIECE
To smooth the surface of the piece, the previous process can be applied to pieces with any geometry. In this case, care must be taken when immersing in alcohol because it can penetrate the part's fill, affecting the material excessively and compromising its integrity.