1. Post Processing Guide
  2. Post Processing a Part
  3. Strength Max™ User Guide
  4. Using your part

Using your part

Machine

Parts infiltrated with StrengthMax can be machined for functionality and part testing. Dry machining is recommended for milling, drilling, tapping, and boring. For best results when drilling and tapping, add a guide hole to the 3D model prior to printing.

The torque that can be safely applied to tapped holes, or to holes with Heli-Coil® screw thread inserts, is shown in the table below.

Thread Size Tapped Hole Inserted Heli-Coil
2-56 - 45 in-oz
4-40 - 70 in-oz
6-32 - 112 in-oz
10-24 80 in-oz 20 in-lbs
1/4-20 20 in-lbs 40 in-lbs
5/16-18 40 in-lbs 55 in-lbs

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Paint

When a smooth painted appearance is desired, parts should be primed.
Apply a coat of primer as described below. No other surface preparation of the part is needed.

  1. Apply DuPont™ Fill 'N Sand® #131S™ Acrylic Primer-Surfacer, or DuPont™ 380S Clear Coat.
  2. Brush one coat of the primer or clear coat on the infiltrated part. Once the primer has dried, the part can be painted with your choice of finish coats.

The primer and clear coat are available at most auto body supply stores. The best results are obtained when these products are allowed to dry overnight.

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Bond

To maintain high strength in the seams, use a structural adhesive to bond the 2 parts together.

  • Toughened acrylic adhesive (example: Devcon® Plastic Welder™ II 14340)
  • Fast cure epoxy (example: Devcon’s 5-Minute® Epoxy 14270)
  • RTV silicone sealant (example: Dow Corning® 736)

When using adhesives, follow the mixing instructions carefully and apply to the surfaces to be bonded. Clamping or taping the parts together may be required with some of these adhesives while letting the assembly cure for the recommended time.