We often get asked by our customers about how to best store their Stratasys FDM material for 3D printing. With summer just around the corner, this is especially important for all of those Stratasys F123 Series 3D printer owners! Do you have a plan for when you shut down your systems for the summer months?
It’s important to note that Stratasys does not include an expiration date on its thermoplastic materials. This is because thermoplastics typically don’t degrade over time unless exposed to high temperatures, UV, ozone, or other adverse environmental conditions. (Some of our long-standing customers may remember Stratasys used to recommend using within 3 years from the manufacture date but that is no longer the case).
To maintain the material in its optimal condition, Stratasys recommends that the material be stored in its original packaging in a cool (65 – 75 ºF), dry environment (<50% RH). Canisters, cartridges, and spools should be sealed in its mylar bag before use.
After the packaging is opened, it should either stay loaded in the machine with the air-dryer system constantly purging moisture from the filament lines, or the product should be re-sealed, returned to its original packaging and stored in a cool, dry environment.
If material cannot be stored under optimal conditions (as noted above) it is recommended that a moisture test be performed, and drying process implemented to ensure that the moisture level is below 0.04% moisture prior to printing.
For other helpful tips, read how to recycle your FDM and PolyJet material containers or tips for storing 3D printing materials in warmer months, like over summer break.
If you have any questions about how to store your Stratasys 3D printer materials, contact us.
