Are 3D Printed Parts Watertight?

With the growing popularity of 3D printing, one common question that arises is whether 3D printed parts are truly watertight. In this experiment, the goal was to determine the water resistance of two different 3D printed parts: a red one printed with TPU on an Ultimaker and a gray one printed with X model 15 on a Nexo 3D printer.

The Experiment

To test the watertightness of these parts, room temperature water was filled almost to the top in each part and left to sit for 15 minutes to observe any leaks.

Red TPU on Ultimaker

Upon inspection, the red TPU part from the Ultimaker showed no signs of leakage. The water remained inside without a single drop escaping.

Gray X Model 15 on Nexo 3D Printer

However, when the room temperature water was transferred from a resin bottle into the gray X Model 15 part, some issues arose. Initially, there were no visible leaks, but upon closer examination, pooled water and a few pinhole leaks were discovered.

Conclusion

The results of the experiment indicate that while the red TPU part printed on the Ultimaker proved to be watertight, the gray X Model 15 part from the Nexo 3D printer exhibited some leakage issues. This disparity highlights the importance of considering the type of material and printer used when aiming for watertight 3D printed parts.

In summary, the type of filament and printing method can significantly impact the water resistance of 3D printed parts. Understanding these nuances is crucial to ensure the desired level of watertightness in various applications.

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