1. Post Processing Guide
  2. Post Processing a Part
  3. User Guide - ColorBond™ Instant Infiltrant

User Guide - ColorBond™ Instant Infiltrant

Description

ColorBondTM instant infiltrant is an extremely fast-curing, general purpose resin designed to rapidly strengthen 3D-printed models. The simple one-part, low-odor formulation produces excellent strength and enhances the vibrancy of color parts.

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Features

  • Cures in as little as 5 minutes.
  • Dramatically enhances the vibrancy of color parts.
  • Easy to apply: dip or drizzle method.
  • Parts can be easily sanded, joined together, painted or spray coated for a matte or glossy finish
  • Greatly enhances part strength

 

Handling and Usage Information

Important: Please review the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and the following directions prior to using ColorBond instant infiltrants.

 

Before applying

  • All part surfaces should be clean prior to applying ColorBond infiltrant.
  • Parts should be completely dry.
  • Wear gloves, safety glasses and apron (or other protective clothing) during application. Nitrile disposable gloves or polyethylene gloves can be used. We recommend using non-stick gloves made with a special 3-polymer blend, which are available from your local reseller (PN 22-16752).

  • Parts should be completely dry. For best results parts should be oven dried for 2-4 hours at 100F or overnight at room temperature.

  • Always work in a well ventilated area.
  • Place a sheet of non-stick material (Teflon, freezer paper or wax paper) on your work area for easy clean-up and to put your parts on as they cure.
  • Have a good supply of paper towels ready for absorbing excess ColorBond.

Note: ColorBond dipping kits are available from your local reseller. They include a supply of non-stick gloves, safety glasses, large sheets of non-stick paper, a dipping container, MSDS and bottles of ColorBond Instant Infiltrant.

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How to apply – Dip method

Warning: ColorBond cures very quickly. Models can get hot during infiltration.

  1. Using a clean, water-tight, sturdy container (e.g. PP/PE
    plastic, glass, metal), pour enough ColorBond into the
    container to completely submerge your part.
  2. Gently place your part into the container with ColorBond.
    • Look for bubbles rising. If you don’t see any, let the
      part sit submerged for ~10 seconds and then remove
      from the liquid.
    • If you see bubbles rising, wait until you no longer see
      any, and then remove.
  3. Keep the part moving in your hands while excess liquid
    drips back in the container so it does not stick to your
    gloves.
  4. Quickly and thoroughly wipe any excess ColorBond off the part with the paper towels, and place on a non-stick surface.
    • If you see liquid pool under the part after placing it on
      the non-stick material, move the part so it will not
      adhere to the surface.
  5. Let the part cure and cool down before handling. Cure
    and cool time depends on your part’s geometry, but most
    parts are safe to touch within 15 minutes.
  6. While the part cures, return any unused ColorBond to its
    bottle for reuse and cap tightly.

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How to apply – Drizzle method

This method can be used in combination with the dipping method for models with very delicate/fine features. First drizzle delicate/fine part features with ColorBond. After the delicate features have had a few minutes to strengthen, submerge the entire part in ColorBond, following the instructions in the How to apply – Dip method section of this guide.

  1. Lay down a protective sheet, or preferably a catch pan, on your working surface. This will help contain any drips of ColorBond.
  2. Use a 100g bottle of ColorBond or attach a spout to your 1-lb bottle of ColorBond.
  3. Place your part inside your catch pan and start drizzling ColorBond over your part, moving your part around regularly until the whole surface has been treated.
  4. Quickly and thoroughly wipe off any excess liquid off the part with paper towels as you go.
  5. When done, place the part on a clean, non-stick surface and let the part cure and cool down before handling.
  6. While the part cures, clean up any drips that may have fallen into your catch pan using paper towels.

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Cure

  • Place parts that you infiltrated with ColorBond on a sheet of non-stick material (Teflon, freezer paper or wax paper).
  • On average, parts attain near full strength with ColorBond within 15-20 minutes.
  • Let parts cool down for 15-30 minutes before handling them as curing can produce heat.

 

Clean up

Soiled paper towels can be safely disposed of as soon as ColorBond has cured. This usually happens within 15-30 minutes.

Cured ColorBond can be removed with nitromethane, a clean-up solvent for instant adhesives.

 

Optional post-treatments

  • Sanding:
    • Parts can be sanded to improve the surface finish. Start with 100-grit paper and continue to 220-grit if a smoother finish is desired.
  • Painting:
    • Parts infiltrated with ColorBond can be painted without additional processing. For the best surface finish, sand lightly, use a primer, and then apply paint.
    • For a plastic-like finish, fill in the seam of joined parts with Bondo® No.907 Glazing Spot Putty, apply 1-2 coats primer, sand lightly, and paint.
  • Bonding/joining:
    • For the latest information on joining and bonding parts infiltrated with ColorBond, check the 3D Printing User Website in the Best Practices section and search for “joining parts”: Best Practices.

 

Storage and Shelf Life

ColorBond should always be stored in a cool, dry place. The shelf life of ColorBond is one (1) year from the date of manufacture. Unopened containers can be stored refrigerated at < 40° F. Never refrigerate a container after it has been opened.

Compatibility

ColorBond is compatible with:

  • All High Performance Composite powders.

Quantities available

Product Size Quantity
ColorBond™
Small bottle with fine tip applicator
Medium bottle
Large bottle
X-Large bottle
57 g (3.5 oz.)
454 g (1 lb.)
2.0 kg (4.4 lb.)
10 kg (22 lb.)
Dipping Kits    
ColorBond Small Dipping Kit Includes dipping tub, protective sheets, safety glasses, gloves, paper towels 3 x 454 g (3 x 1 lb.)
ColorBond Large Dipping Kit Includes dipping tub, protective sheets, safety glasses, gloves, paper towels 6 x 454 g (6 x 1 lb.)

Related documents

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) can be found in the Materials section at http://www.3dsystems.com/3d-printers/professional/overview

Contact Information

Questions? Contact us at support-us@3dsystems.com.