Monday, October 23, 2006
Polyethylene glycol as a potential water-soluble support mechanism.
I just stumbled across Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol
and have been thinking about picking some up and trying to use it as a potential water-soluble support mechanism. PEG is a flexible, non-toxic water-soluble wax-like polymer, used in cosmetics, toothpaste, and Dr. Pepper, along with who-knows-what else.
Jesse Brennan pointed out that Lee Valley sells PEG 1000 and PEG 1450 for CAD$6/lb (USD$11.25/kg). PEG 1000 melts at 37C, PEG 1450 melts at 43C. (PEG x means PEG with a molecular weight of x). Lee Valley is an expensive but high-quality Canadian woodworking tool store. They sell the PEG as a "green wood stabilizer".
via a random MSDS, http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/p5029.htm
"Melting Point:
Melting point increases as molecular weight increases: PEG 400 = 4-8C (39-46F) PEG 600 = 20-25C (68-77F) PEG1500 = 44-48C (111-118F) PEG 4000 = 54-58C (129-136F) PEG 6000 = 56-63C (133-145F) "
I do not know if we will be able to shape this stuff into filaments, but aside from that, it might work well for us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol
and have been thinking about picking some up and trying to use it as a potential water-soluble support mechanism. PEG is a flexible, non-toxic water-soluble wax-like polymer, used in cosmetics, toothpaste, and Dr. Pepper, along with who-knows-what else.
Jesse Brennan pointed out that Lee Valley sells PEG 1000 and PEG 1450 for CAD$6/lb (USD$11.25/kg). PEG 1000 melts at 37C, PEG 1450 melts at 43C. (PEG x means PEG with a molecular weight of x). Lee Valley is an expensive but high-quality Canadian woodworking tool store. They sell the PEG as a "green wood stabilizer".
via a random MSDS, http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/p5029.htm
"Melting Point:
Melting point increases as molecular weight increases: PEG 400 = 4-8C (39-46F) PEG 600 = 20-25C (68-77F) PEG1500 = 44-48C (111-118F) PEG 4000 = 54-58C (129-136F) PEG 6000 = 56-63C (133-145F) "
I do not know if we will be able to shape this stuff into filaments, but aside from that, it might work well for us.
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If we extrude this stuff as a support material for CAPA and then put it in water and wait for it to dissolve, I wonder how long we'll be waiting.
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