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Thread: Plastic that Sinks
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03-14-2016, 12:33 AM #1
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Plastic that Sinks
I'm currently making small decorations/objects/caves/etc for fish tanks using ABS (as PLA I believe dissolves in water) - but there's been one issue - it floats. We're looking at putting lead into each object, but so far that's been a bit pricey/time-consuming.
Are there any printed plastics that will sink in water (without having to sit in the water a few days first)? If so, what are the highest quality ones you know of and at what prices? Because these decorations will be for sale at low prices, unfortunately I've not had much opportunity to explore the more expensive options (eg Taulman branded), but will do if they prove to be the best option.
Also, does using Acetone vapour on prints increase or decrease the strength at all? I'm really struggling with small ABS parts (especially things that join together) that break apart when any pressure is applied to them and need to somehow strengthen them. These may be ridiculous questions, so my apologies (and thanks) in advance
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03-14-2016, 03:50 AM #2
Why don't you make a cavity and fill it with sand ? ?
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03-14-2016, 06:15 AM #3
You could use some of the pla's (does not dissolve in water) with added metals. They vary from 1.5-4 x the density of normal pla.
Pla is technically biodegradable. But for that to happen it needs to be in a hot compost heat with the right moisture. temperature and bacterial levels.
I live in england and have many pla items outside - if they were water soluble - trust me - this winter, they'd have dissolved :-)
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03-14-2016, 04:24 PM #4
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I think there's another issue you haven't considered - ABS is toxic to fish (not as bad as the resins used in SLA printing, though): http://hackaday.com/2015/11/11/are-y...-prints-toxic/
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03-15-2016, 02:38 AM #5
Oh by the way, I made a boat in PLA for a pool.... still hasn't dissolved.
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03-15-2016, 03:17 AM #6
If you want your fish to live, don't put lead in the decorations to keep them weighted.
I would personally print the item, make a simple mould and cast it in resin or something solid, that's your best bet for having something heavy that won't kill your fish from lead poisoning.Hex3D - 3D Printing and Design http://www.hex3d.com
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03-15-2016, 08:25 PM #7
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- Mar 2016
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Why don't you make a cavity and fill it with sand ? ?
You could use some of the pla's (does not dissolve in water) with added metals. They vary from 1.5-4 x the density of normal pla.
Pla is technically biodegradable. But for that to happen it needs to be in a hot compost heat with the right moisture. temperature and bacterial levels.
I live in england and have many pla items outside - if they were water soluble - trust me - this winter, they'd have dissolved :-)
I think there's another issue you haven't considered - ABS is toxic to fish (not as bad as the resins used in SLA printing, though): http://hackaday.com/2015/11/11/are-y...-prints-toxic/
Oh by the way, I made a boat in PLA for a pool.... still hasn't dissolved.
If you want your fish to live, don't put lead in the decorations to keep them weighted.
I would personally print the item, make a simple mould and cast it in resin or something solid, that's your best bet for having something heavy that won't kill your fish from lead poisoning.
RE Resin - I honestly wouldn't know what to cast it in. Price is a big factor for us and admittedly the 3D printing alone is still new to me. But if you have any ideas of where to start I'd be more than happy to consider a different route
Thanks heaps for all of the replies, by the way!
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03-20-2016, 12:22 PM #8
lead is not soluble - but lead particles will get into the tank.
lead water pipes are bow banned in the uk - because they put lead particles into the water supply.
Look at some of the pla with metal powder included wither as a colourant or so you can polish and sand them after printing.
brass, copper, iron - should all be fishtank safe.
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03-20-2016, 02:10 PM #9
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The solubility of metallic lead (and its related oxidation products) depends on the ph of the water it's in contact with. If the ph is high enough, the lead won't dissolve, but if it drops below a certain point, then lead ions go into the solution. That is what happened recently in Flint Michigan, causing a major public health emergency. See http://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i7/Le...Tap-Water.html
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11-29-2021, 09:11 AM #10
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- Nov 2021
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You could always do it 100 percent infill!
So I have a simple solution... why not use 100 percent infill? granted the sand option might be cheaper on plastic. Both are great ideas in my opinion.
Ender 3v2 poor printing quality
10-28-2024, 09:08 AM in Tips, Tricks and Tech Help