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.

 

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What Are The Best Solvents For Additive Manufacturing?

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Solvents for additive manufacturing or 3D printing are required to properly clean and maintain your printing equipment after use to prevent damage and keep the machinery running in top shape. The most effective way to clean your additive manufacturing equipment is with a chemical solvent that has strong degreasing properties that can easily breakdown and remove any leftover resin from the surface of your printer. One of the most popular chemical solvents for additive manufacturing is isopropyl alcohol (IPA). There are also many low VOC IPA alternatives that can be used to remove resin, however a final rinse with IPA is still recommended to finish cleaning. Some of the most popular IPA alternative solvents for additive manufacturing are dimethyl ester based solvents like dimethyl adipate. When deciding on a cleaning solvent for your additive manufacturing business you should understand the differences between IPA and low VOC dimethyl ester based solvents.

IPA vs Dimethyl Ester

  • IPA – IPA is one of the most popular cleaning agents for 3D printing devices for several reasons. IPA has low water content and a high evaporation rate. This protects the machinery from being damaged by any left behind moisture that can occur with more water based cleaning agents. IPA also acts as a strong degreaser that can completely dissolve and remove leftover solvents. IPA is not considered to be a low VOC solvent but requires minimal safety gear for handling.
  • Dimethyl Ester – These low VOC solvents are generally considered to be safer and less flammable than more volatile chemicals like IPA. Dimethyl ester solvents have a lower evaporation rate than IPA, but this does allow for excess solvent to be recycled and reused, which helps to save money. Dimethyl ester solvents will effectively clean the surface of your equipment, but it is recommended to do final rinse with IPA after cleaning with these low VOC solvents to remove any leftover resin particles.

Shopping for Solvents for Additive Manufacturing?

If you are in need of solvents for additive manufacturing, we are here to help! Ecolink is an environmentally conscious provider of chemical solvents that has the knowledge and ability to help you find the best product for your needs. Ecolink can also provide bulk quantities. To learn more about Ecolink and solvents for additive manufacturing, contact us today.

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What Is Additive Manufacturing?

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If you work in industrial production or manufacturing you may be wondering, what is additive manufacturing? Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing and a huge digital advancement in production in which digital designs are realized and turned into physical objects with CAD software and a 3D printing device. This style of production allows parts and items to be made faster, stronger, and lighter. In additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, the printer uses a heated nozzle and a polymer or resin to build the object layer by layer. These layers of resin then cool and harden creating a usable part or product. Additive manufacturing has become very popular in the world of industrial production, and when using this style of 3D printing, it is very important that you perform regular cleaning and maintenance to keep your machinery free of damaging, resin build up or spills. 

How to Keep Additive Manufacturing Equipment Clean?

In order to avoid damage and keep your 3D printing device running at its most efficient level it is important to clean the printer after use to remove any hardened resin from the surface. Resins and polymers are thick and harden quickly, so you will need to find a chemical solvent that can easily dissolve leftover resin, without harming the printer. The best solution to use for resin removal is IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol). IPA is ideal for resin removal due to its strong degreasing properties. IPA will break down and remove resin, leaving behind a clean surface for the next project. IPA is also safe to use on printing equipment. IPA has a high evaporation rate and low water content which will ensure no damage is caused from moisture exposure or pooling.

Need to Buy IPA?

If you are in need of IPA to clean your additive manufacturing equipment, Ecolink can help! Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents who will supply you with a high quality product for an affordable cost. Ecolink will work with you to ensure that you find the best solvent for your needs, and can even provide bulk quantities. Contact us today to learn more.

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Is IPA a Good Solvent for Resin Removal?

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IPA is a common chemical solvent often used to clean and degrease industrial machinery, but is IPA a good solvent for resin removal? The answer is yes. If you are using 3D or SLA printers in your line of work, you know that these printers must be cleaned after use to remove any leftover resin or build up. Resin build up and spills, if not properly cleaned and removed, can cause damage or impact the functionality of your 3D printer, so it is important that these machines are cleaned with a chemical solvent as part of regular maintenance. IPA is recommended for resin removal on 3D printers for many reasons. IPA is affordable, effective, and will not damage your 3D printing equipment.

Why is IPA a Good Solvent for Resin Removal?

  • Cost Effective – Compared to similar degreasing chemicals, IPA is not only less harsh, but it is more affordable when compared to IPA alternatives.
  • Safe to Use – IPA has a high evaporation rate and low water content which prevents equipment from being damaged by moisture or pooling.
  • Powerful Degreaser – IPA is great for degreasing and degumming, and can easily cut through and dissolve leftover resin build up, leaving behind a clean surface.

Need to Buy IPA for Resin Removal?

If you are looking to purchase IPA, you want to be sure find a knowledgeable chemical provider who will supply you with a high purity, affordable, solvent that is right for your needs. When you work with Ecolink, you will receive all of this and more. Ecolink is an environmentally conscious provider of chemical solvents who will supply you with a high quality product and the necessary knowledge for safe use and handling. Ecolink also has the ability to fill and ship bulk orders, so iff you would like to learn more about Ecolink and IPA for resin removal, contact us today!