Dyeing ABS and PLA

[TaErog]

In my quest to extend what I can do with printing and prints I have tried Dyeing ABS and PLA.

Do a quick internet search and you get the full range from Can't be done to must use this or that etc.

 

So I tried my hand at it with the help of my wife.

 

First we used polyester dye (a Disperse Dye) made to be used with artificial fibers.  Other people have tried Ritt with Acetone, or even Sharpies with alcohol with success also.

 

We put it onto a pot added water and heated it up to ~80-85deg c.

 

Plopped some test cubes in and waited to see what happened.  (I had "natural" ABS and white PLA)

 

Some quick observations (I will go into more detail later)

- The dye took to both plastics.

- The hotter the faster the tint.

- 85c is too hot for PLA  (the plastic deformed from the heat)  I was kind of surprised at this lower temp.

- The white made brighter colors, the natural made deeper colors.

- at 85c tinting took but seconds.

- it is possible to get different levels of color by holding it under for various times (even with the same part)  Kind of obvious but needed to be said.

- dye can get INTO the print and dye the inside (making a slightly darker area)  A acetone vapor treatment may help this.

- dyeing in this method does not effect the print (kill details) or make it soft (unless you over temp with PLA)  This makes prints that would suffer from painting possible (hinges or other moveable parts)

 

All in all I call this a success!  and it is easy and cheap to do. 

 

I have another vase that has a gradation but my wife took it (will try to take a photo)

 

 

 

 

[JohnD]

Please do - we have much less promising results using a dye specifically formulated for Nylon - worked great for Taulman 618, not at all with PLA.  I don't thing we tried ABS now that I think about it.

[Eighty]

Have you done any testing with dyeing of the filament itself (prior to extrusion)?  I really like the pictures I've seen of dyed nylon - it would be cool to do the same with PLA. 

[Matthew Stonebraker]

Your initial results are VERY promising! Could you link to the dye you used? Thanks!

[TaErog]

 

Here is a vase . . .

 

Sure I will try to find the name but any "Disperse Dye" should work (I have to ask the wife on that one :o )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disperse_dye

 

 

 

[TaErog]

Not before extruding . . I am still a bit hesitant to muck up my heads trying :)

Though be carful with PLA  it will get soft crazy quickly in the water (completely surprised me how low a temp) . . ie keep the water below 80c

[David]

I've used permanent markers on the filament as it was entering the extruder. It worked great and no muck to deal with.

[JohnD]

Please do - I've tried a couple of dyes, and didn't have good luck at all....

[TaErog]

Sorry for the wait . . . this is from my wife :)

"It is a dye type for polyester and nylon known generically as disperse dye. Brand name we used was "iDye for polyester fabrics" . 

Available from dharmatrading.com"