3D printing

secondary operations guide

3D printing also be used to join parts (part design and final application
will play a key role in this). Mechanical fastening can be

with Amphora useful for large or heavy parts or when a suitable adhesive
system is not available. Always use screws designed
specifically for plastics. If bolting parts together, allow for
Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymers are low-odor, styrene- thermal expansion and contraction by drilling oversized
free materials that are uniquely suited for 3D printing holes. Make sure the holes have smooth edges. Do not
applications. Filament made with Amphora offers makers overtighten screws.
the ability to create articles that are more functional,
durable, efficient, and attractive. Amphora provides
advantages over competitive materials, such as low odor,
attractive gloss, dimensional stability, superior toughness,
ease of processing, and FDA compliance.

Drilling
Articles printed with filament made from Amphora can
typically be drilled using a standard drill press or handheld
drill with sharp, clean drill bits. Drill bits designed for use
Joining and assembly with plastic are recommended. Standard, general-type
steel drill bits have also been used but may have to be
3D printed parts created using filament made with ground to reduce the depth or angle of cut.
Amphora can be assembled by various techniques. For best
results, final application and product performance needs
Optimum bit speed, feed rate, and applied pressure will
should be considered when choosing the most appropriate
depend on hole size and part thickness. Drill speeds up to
assembly method.
1750 rpm are usually best for smaller holes while speeds as
low as 350 rpm can work for larger holes.
Adhesives and mechanical fasteners can be used to
assemble 3D printed articles produced using filament made
with Amphora. In some instances, ultrasonic welding could

Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymer­—secondary operations guide

 Adhesive bonding procedure
The surfaces of 3D printed parts which are to be joined
using adhesive systems must fit well without forcing and
have no gaps. The bonding surfaces should be smoothed
Adhesive systems
with 120-grit or finer sand paper. The following are a
Many adhesives are available for joining plastic materials. selected number of adhesive systems which have been
Due to this fact, it is difficult to make general observations. shown to perform well in bonding Eastman Amphora™
Adhesives do not evaporate and remain a functional part 3D polymers:
of the finished assembly. The performance and, in some
cases, appearance of the finished part can depend heavily • Weld-On® 55™
on the characteristics of the adhesive layer used.
• Lord® 7542 A/B
Characteristics to consider when selecting an adhesive follow:
• Lord® 406/19
• Loctite® 3105™
• Chemical compatibility with the part being joined
• Loctite® 3106™
• Aesthetics
• Loctite® 3103™
• Expansion/contraction with temperature fluctuations
(mechanical fastening may be a solution to this issue)
• Brittleness/flexibility Evaluation of adhesive performance is done according to
ASTM D1002.
• Service life of the part
• Adhesive strength (adhesion to the plastic part)
The adhesives listed do not represent all materials that may
• Cohesive strength
work but simply those that have been evaluated and shown to
• Part design perform well with Amphora. For best performance, follow the
• End-use requirements guidelines for use provided by the adhesives manufacturers.

Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymer—secondary operations guide

Coating/smoothing
There are instances when 3D parts are printed and the
parts are rough to the touch due to part design or the way
the part was printed. When sanding a printed article, start
with 120/180 grit sand paper and work up to 320 grit or
higher. The color of the article may change or become
slightly dull after sanding, but much of the initial gloss can
be recovered with polishing. There are also coating
materials on the market that can be used to potentially
smooth parts. These coatings are generally applied to
parts with a brush or the part can be dipped in the
coatings system. There is an associated cure time with
these coatings systems. Follow the guidelines provided by • Improved chemical, abrasion, or weathering resistance
the coatings manufacturers when using the systems.
• Color matching with adjacent parts
• Decorative appearance
Post-processing is typically unnecessary when printing
with filaments made using Amphora. If the user deems • High-gloss or matte finish
post-processing applications are necessary, certain tools
and techniques may be applied. In the case of creating a There are two basic types of commonly used paints:
print article with complex designs, support material may lacquer and curing enamel. The lacquer paints dry by
be carefully removed using a hobby knife or other sharp solvent evaporation while the curing-type paints typically
blade. require a bake to obtain performance properties. Follow
the manufacturer’s guidelines for optimum results. Paint
Decorating suppliers include:

The use of decorating techniques allows for aesthetically

• Norcote
pleasing parts to be produced. Eastman Amphora™ 3D
• Sherwin Williams Company
polymers are typically receptive to a number of decorating
techniques. • Nippon Paint Company
• Red Spot Paint & Varnish Company
Painting
Before choosing a decoration technique or paint system,
Painting can be used to add a decorative element to the
the end-use requirements need to be understood and
part or to possibly improve part surface functionality.
communicated to the paint/ink manufacturer. There are
Some typical reasons to choose paint may include:
always adhesion concerns with any paint/ink after the
coating is applied to the plastic part. It’s vitally important
to test adhesion on the part being produced.

Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymer­—secondary operations guide

 Printing/labels
Printing is a common method used for application of
markings on parts to add aesthetic options to the finished
article. In general, graphics can be easily printed onto parts
produced from Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymers. A number
of different printing techniques can be used. The use of
appropriate ink systems is required to produce parts with
the required graphics. Ink suppliers include:

• Nazdar
• Sun Chemical

Spray painting Self-adhesive labels and decals offer a method for applying
graphics or decorations to parts. Labels can be classified as
Conventional spray painting techniques can be used to
either temporary (designed to be removed at some point
decorate 3D printed articles. A list of plastic spray paints
during the product life) or permanent (designed to remain
follows:
in place during the life cycle of the part). Criteria to
consider when selecting a label include:
• Krylon® Fusion
• Rust® Oleum for Plastic • Is the decoration temporary or permanent?
• Testors® One Coat Lacquer • Should the label be clear, semitransparent, or opaque?

When selecting paint, carefully consider fitness-for-use

Some typical types of labels that work well with filament
requirements such as dry film adhesion and impact strength
made using Amphora are systems based on PET, polystyrene,
retention. You may obtain more detailed information about
or biaxially-oriented polypropylene film backing.
these characteristics from the paint supplier.

Eastman Amphora™ 3D polymer—secondary operations guide

 Although the information and recommendations set forth herein are presented in good faith, Eastman Chemical
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