reusing PVA
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kunkmiester
Jan 26, 2013, 11:55:39 PM1/26/13
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Does PVA undergo a chemical reaction when it dissolves in water?
Assuming it doesn't, it should be possible to use a vacuum still to separate the material, to regrind and extrude into new filament. Like ABS, it might help to have a conditioner to use to get the reused material to it's original properties, but it should, assuming the grinder/extruders people are making work out, cut costs farther for materials, especially for those doing prints that will require dissolvable supports.
Assuming it doesn't, it should be possible to use a vacuum still to separate the material, to regrind and extrude into new filament. Like ABS, it might help to have a conditioner to use to get the reused material to it's original properties, but it should, assuming the grinder/extruders people are making work out, cut costs farther for materials, especially for those doing prints that will require dissolvable supports.
Jetguy
Jan 27, 2013, 12:12:13 AM1/27/13
to MakerBot Operators
No, you cannot re-use PVA. Just like you don't re-use Elmers glue, you
cannot re-use PVA.
I think you are thinking of a colloid which PVA is not
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloid
cannot re-use PVA.
I think you are thinking of a colloid which PVA is not
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloid
kunkmiester
Jan 27, 2013, 12:22:27 AM1/27/13
to make...@googlegroups.com
I wouldn't have thought it a colloid, but a solution. You can separate a solution, a shop I worked at had a vacuum still to separate oil, grease and such from cleaning solvent to reuse the solvent. This would be similar, except the PVA would be recovered, not the water.
This assumes of course, it doesn't experience chemical breakdown as it dissolves, which I'm still curious about.
This assumes of course, it doesn't experience chemical breakdown as it dissolves, which I'm still curious about.
Jetguy
Jan 27, 2013, 12:33:51 AM1/27/13
to MakerBot Operators
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_alcohol
"Polyvinyl alcohol is used as a emulsion polymerization aid, as
protective colloid, to make polyvinyl acetate dispersions"
Maybe you can reclaim it, but it all seems less than trivial and
probably not suitable for the average user. Report back what you find
but at the insane price for the source, issues with storage and
handling, I doubt it's the miracle your looking for.
"Polyvinyl alcohol is used as a emulsion polymerization aid, as
protective colloid, to make polyvinyl acetate dispersions"
Maybe you can reclaim it, but it all seems less than trivial and
probably not suitable for the average user. Report back what you find
but at the insane price for the source, issues with storage and
handling, I doubt it's the miracle your looking for.
Dan Newman
Jan 27, 2013, 12:59:44 AM1/27/13
to make...@googlegroups.com
When you dissolve it in water you break lots and lots and lots of those
bonds. Relinking it back up isn't as trivial as taking a fine powder,
heating it up, and drawing it back out.
However, you can make a really nice non Newtonian gel if you mix the solution
with Borax. See, e.g., http://www.rsc.org/Education/EiC/issues/2005_Jan/exhibition.asp
Dan
kunkmiester
Jan 27, 2013, 6:29:10 PM1/27/13
to make...@googlegroups.com
There's the answer I was looking for. Thanks Dnewman.
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