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Hi,
I wonder what type of 3D-printing material i should use, if i want to sterilize the printed object in a simple way.

The printed object will need to be sterile, but keep all its structural shape (no deformation). Shape of product will vary, but approx. 10x10x2cm or smaller. Shape is usually a flat (1-3cm thick) and bent custom shape. Strength is not prioritized.

Question:
What material should i use in combination with what sterilization type?

* EDIT* The material also needs to be Bio-compatible.

Appreciate any input.

Thank you in advance,

Chris

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How will you be sterilizing the object?

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i was hoping to autoclave the object, but i am worried about deformation of the material because of heat.
But i am open to other sterilizing types, but then i am worried about small surface defects making the item not 100% sterile.

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I found a material “ABS M30i”, which seems to be biocompatible. Can i autoclave it perhaps?

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Not sure what you are planning to use this for but even if it is sterile, ABS can leach out chemicals into whatever it contacts.

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FDM type 3D printing is not considered for safe because of the layers and gaps associated with this type of printing there are some good resources online just look for 3d printing and “food safe” Is this for some sort of “body modification” (just guessing as autoclaves are commonly used by piercers and tattooist’s) UV can be used to sterilise but it does break down some plastics such as ABS

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Thank you for the input.

My purpose is to 3D print a free form that will come in temporary contact with wounds. Thus it needs to be clinically sterile before use.

Therefore, i would appreciate if someone could give me hints on what printing technology i should use, and what material, in combination with an effective sterilization method.

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Well you could coat the 3D print in a good food epoxy that will seal the print then sterilise the outside of the print epoxy is pretty hard wearing, or you could use the smoothed print to make a cast of the part (depending on its complexity) and from that you could make the object from a different material resin / latex etc

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autoclaves arent just used by piercers and tattooists. Hospitals and clinics also use autoclaves.

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Formlabs Dental SG resin is a Class 1 biocompatible material (it’s the only consumer available 3D printing material I know of that is directly approved by the FDA). This resin is also designed to be sterilized in an autoclave, so it might be worth looking into using this; it seems like a good fit for what you want to do from the vague descriptions. More info can be found about it from Formlabs’ website, or reach out to them directly.

Regarding the ABS M30i, I’d suggest reaching out to Stratasys and see what they have to say regarding autoclaving. It would be a much better material choice in terms of strength, so it might be worth it to use an alternative sterilization method.

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I would second this. Biocompatible materials are still mostly relegated to high end industrial machines, but the Formlabs Dental SG resin is probably the most accessible and available bio compatible material for consumer printing. If you contact a Hub with a Form2 printer, they might be willing to special order that resin for you (if they do not already have it), but it is pretty expensive stuff comparably. Best of luck!

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It is a resin I only stock for special orders because of that price tag. But from what I’ve seen of it, it prints beautifully and works exactly as it is designed to.

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Did I say “only used by”?! I said “commonly used by” big difference… besides when you see hospitals and even vets using 3d printing is usually done in titanium… so when I read the original post I thought it might be some 3d printed Piercing type jewellery.

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I’d second the use of resin designed for this purpose. Just about any thermoplastic you can print with (except PEEK maybe, and not many printers print this) will deform at the temps you’ll want to autoclave, so I’d say FDM printing is out. Polymerized resin should handle this much better and should also have a smoother surface with less gaps for bugs to hide in. Quite a bit more expensive than FDM but that’s medicine I guess.

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You can print with Taulman nylon. Can be sterilized in autoclave. See their website.

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Thank you for your input!

I sent a mail to Stratasys regarding autoclaving the ABS M30i material. I found on another page that autoclave will damage ABS M30i…

Formlabs Dental SG resin looks like a very good choice. I will mail them and ask what equipment they use.

Kind Regards,

Chris

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Formlabs resin can be printed on any SLA or DLP style printer; Formlabs will most likely recommend the Form2, which is the printer I use. I highly recommend it.

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Sterilization like for a medical device?

I think this is something you’re going to have to experiment with. Radiation (Gamma or E-Beam) will cause embrittlement and color changes in most plastics as there’s a lot of cross linking of polymer structures. Some people tint polycarbonate plastic an ice blue color because it will turn a sickly yellow otherwise.

I can’t offer anything about Ethelene Oxide except it’s not very practical in small batches, and autoclave is probably not an option for any thermoplastic you can print.

Regards,

Matt

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Contact Taulman 3D directly and discuss your plans with them.

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As others here have said, SLA or DLP is far better than FDM printing if you want to reduce surface defects. FDM will leave large spaces for contaminants and bacteria to grow within, but the resin produces a much smoother surface at a microscopic level.

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