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Does Acetone Dissolve Resin?

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If you are looking for a chemical solvent for resin removal you may have heard about acetone and are wondering, does acetone dissolve resin effectively? Acetone is a potent chemical solvent that is commonly used to clean and degrease, as well as to strip lacquers, waxes, resins, and paints. For this reason, acetone is often used in industrial manufacturing, including 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Acetone can be used to remove leftover resin from the nozzle of 3D printing devices to prevent clogging and build up that could cause the equipment to function improperly. Acetone is a potent chemical solvent that can strip and dissolve cured or uncured resins with ease making cleanup and maintenance of 3D printing equipment easy. So if you want to know if acetone dissolves resin, the answer is yes, and it can be used to effectively maintain your equipment. 

Why is acetone a good solvent for dissolving resin? 

  • Potent – Acetone is a strong cleaning agent that easily cuts through grease, paint, lacquers, waxes, resins, and other substances that could clog or gum up machinery. Cleaning with acetone makes tedious aftercare fast and easy to manage, as the solvent will do the heavy lifting when breaking down these substances.
  • Fast Evaporating – Acetone has a high evaporation rate, making it safe to use on intricate pieces, like 3D printing nozzles, as it will quickly evaporate from tight spaces without causing pooling or damage from prolonged exposure.
  • Lower toxicity – Acetone is highly effective, but is less toxic than other stripping chemicals like MEK. This makes using acetone safer for the user when compared to acetone alternatives.

Shopping for Resin Dissolving Solvents?

If you are interested in purchasing acetone for your industrial business, contact us today. Ecolink is a trusted provider of high purity chemicals and solvents, including acetone, who has the knowledge and ability to help you find the best solvent for your particular needs.

Which Is Stronger, MEK or Acetone?

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There are many different chemical cleaning and degreasing agents, including MEK and acetone, that can be used for industrial machinery or 3D printer nozzles, but which is stronger, MEK or acetone? While it is generally understood that MEK is a stronger chemical, both acetone and MEK are potent degreasing agents, but depending on your specific needs one solvent may be better suited for your use than the other. When deciding between purchasing MEK or acetone for your business it is important to understand the characteristics of both chemical solvents and what uses they are best suited for.

 MEK vs Acetone

  • MEK – This solvent is typically considered to be a stronger cleaning agent than acetone as it has a lower evaporation rate than acetone and a higher boiling point. MEK is a clear, flammable liquid that is water soluble and is often used as an industrial cleaner and stripping agent to remove bothe cured and uncured resins. MEK is also used in the production of glues, inks, and paints. MEK does require safety gear when handling to prevent irritation to eyes, throat, and skin.
  • Acetone – While acetone may not be quiet as strong as MEK it is overall less toxic and presents fewer safety concerns than MEK. Much like MEK acetone is also used to clean and industrial machinery and strip resins and and finishes. Much like MEK, acetone is also a colorless, water soluble liquid. Since acetone can be used in many of the same applications as MEK and it is generally less toxic, many industries choose to use acetone in place of MEK.

Shopping for the Best Solvents?

If you are looking to purchase solvents like MEK or acetone Ecolink can help. Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents that can offer bulk supplies and the knowledge to find the best solvent for your needs. To learn more about Ecolink and our chemical solvents, contact us today!

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What Will Dissolve Resin?

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3D Printers and additive manufacturers use resin to create their 3D printed objects, but what will dissolve resin to keep the printer’s surface clean? 3D printing devices require regular cleaning after use to remove leftover resin and keep the device running properly. The most common method of resin removal is with chemical solvents such as IPA (isopropyl alcohol). Degreasing solvents such as IPA and dimethyl adipate will effectively dissolve any hardened resin that is leftover after printing, leaving behind a clean surface, without damaging your machinery. There are many different types of solvents that can be used to dissolve resin, two of the most common are IPA and low VOC dimethyl ester based solvents like dimethyl adipate. When deciding on which solvent best fits your needs, it is important to understand the pros and cons of these different solvents. 

What solvents will dissolve resin the best?

  • IPA – IPA does a great job of completely dissolving all leftover resin from your 3D printer after use. IPA also has a very high evaporation rate which protects your device from moisture damage as IPA will dry quickly and won’t leave behind any pooling. IPA is not low VOC, meaning it is a harsher, more flammable substance than some IPA alternatives. However, IPA requires minimal safety gear to handle properly.
  • Low VOC Solvents – Solvents such as dimethyl adipate are less volatile and flammable than solvents like IPA, making them safer to use and handle. These low VOC solvents have a lower evaporation rate, but this allows for excess solvent to be collected and reused. Dimethyl ester based solvents will clean the surface of your printer, however it is recommended that IPA is used for one final rise after cleaning to remove any left behind resin particles.

Where to buy resin dissolving solvents?

Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents, including resin dissolving agents. If you are looking to purchase IPA or low VOC alternatives, Ecolink has the knowledge and ability to help you find the best solvent for your needs. Contact us today to learn more.