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I am using a STRATASYS Fortus 250mc to 3D print some parts. I have read a lot on internet and also on some scientific literature that Acetone dissolves ABS and cold/hot vapor has been successfully used to smoothen the surfaces. But it doesn't work for me.

I followed the instructions: soaking some papers with Acetone and putting the parts in a closed container with a fan for some time. But it had no effects. Then I tried dipping the parts in Acetone and I observed that they do not react to the substance at all!

Has anybody ever had a similar experience? Maybe ABSPlus-p430 is not soluble with Acetone? in that case what is a solvent for it?

I asked the same question here on Reddit.

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    $\begingroup$ Where did you get your acetone? Are you sure it actually is acetone? I have once been sold "eco-friendly bio-acteone" which turned out to be, well, not acetone but something else entirely. $\endgroup$
    – Tom van der Zanden
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 12:46
  • $\begingroup$ I did not buy it myself. our technician gave it to me. how can I make sure it is really Acetone or not? $\endgroup$
    – Foad
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 12:48
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    $\begingroup$ I'm not sure of any tests you could do, but perhaps there's some information on the bottle? Do you have a datasheet? Supplier information? $\endgroup$
    – Tom van der Zanden
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 12:50
  • $\begingroup$ The bottle is not the original one. I'm going to bug the technician :) $\endgroup$
    – Foad
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 12:51
  • $\begingroup$ @TomvanderZanden this was apparently the problem. The material given to me seemed to be a environment friendly Acetone used for painting. $\endgroup$
    – Foad
    Commented Nov 8, 2017 at 13:59

1 Answer 1

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Make sure that your acetone is actually acetone. According to the MSDS, ABSPlus-P430 is indeed "ABS resin" so acetone smoothing should work. Some companies sell confusingly-labeled products that might be mistaken for acetone, but are actually "eco-friendly" alternatives such as 2-butoxyethanol. While these alternatives work for some of the uses for which acetone is normally used (such as cleaning or degreasing), they don't work for smoothing ABS.

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