An Ebook by

THE
COMPLETE
SURFACE
FINISH
GUIDE FOR
3D PRINTING
Additive Manufacturing
at your scale.
1
 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

CONTENTS

Introduction 3

The perception of 3D printed parts 3

Keys to achieving a quality part 5

Technology & material 6

Key considerations 6

The hierarchy of 3D printing surface quality 7

Surface quality at scale 8

Design 9

First steps 9

Designing for technologies 10

Design complexity: Minimizing surface area 11

The possibilities offered by texture 12

Post-processing 14

Comparing post-processing solutions 15

Polishing 16

Dyeing 18

Chemical smoothing 20

Color Touch 22

Metalization 24

Coating 26

Putting it all together 28

© Copyright 2020 Sculpteo SAS. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is provided for information purposes only.
Sculpteo shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Product specifications and all information
herein is subject to change without notice.

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

INTRODUCTION
THE PERCEPTION OF
Myth 1: 3D printing can’t make
3D PRINTED PARTS
quality parts

The three big myths 3D printing is so much more than

shaping the perception of visible layers and stringy failed prints;
in fact, 3D printing is more than just
3D printing FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)
technology. 3D printing comprises
more than ten different technologies
While 3D printing has been around
for polymer, metal, and photopolymer
for decades, the technology remains
materials.
uncertain to many professionals.
Questions of quality, applications,
The last several years have seen
scalability, and cost remain, limiting
massive developments in quality.
the way industries capitalize on this
Industrial 3D printing solutions are
technology. Let’s look at the three
now delivering parts comparable
big myths about 3D printing and
to injection molding with smooth
separate fact from fiction.
surfaces, no visible layers, and
professional mechanical properties.

Ultrasint® TPU01 - MJF, Coating finish (Source: Forward AM)

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

Myth 2: 3D printing is only for

prototyping

It’s clear that 3D printing for

prototyping presents incredible
benefits for product development.
But, with the evolution of industrial
technologies, 3D printing is now a
perfectly adapted solution for series
production and end-use parts.

52%
use 3D printing for end-use
mechanical parts Ultrasint® PA11 - SLS, Unfinished

27%
Myth 3: 3D printing is not
industrialized

use 3D printing for end-use Along with the demand for quality
consumer goods parts, scalability is also becoming
essential for businesses looking to
The State of 3D Printing 2021, Sculpteo
adopt 3D printing. While the common
conception of the technology is a
simple desktop 3D printer, capable of
Why choose 3D printing for series producing parts one at a time, today,
production? Many companies are able industrial machines are producing
to benefit from mass-customization, thousands of parts in a single batch
limited editions, and on-demand with powder bed fusion technologies.
manufacturing to be more responsive
to market demands. 3D printing These industrial 3D printing
offers competitive costs per part technologies allow for scaled
and shorter turn around times for production with high-performance
small and medium production runs materials rivaling injection plastics
impossible to achieve with traditional and even metal parts.
manufacturing methods.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

KEYS TO ACHIEVING A
QUALITY PART

Now that we know 3D printing

can make quality parts for end
use applications at scale, what are
the main elements to consider to
achieve the perfect finish?

1. Technology & Material

The first step is to choose the right

technology and material to achieve
the desired surface quality. For
polymers the three main technologies
are FDM/FFF, SLS and SLA. While each
builds a part layer-by-layer, they differ
in their resolution and each have
different design limitations. Choosing
the technology and material is the PA12 - SLS, Various finishes

first step to creating a part with a

quality surface finish.
3. Post-processing

2. Design The advancement of post-processing

solutions for 3D printed parts
A 3D printed part with a quality has unlocked the potential of 3D
surface aspect starts with a printing for almost any application.
thoughtful 3D design adapted to Finished parts have the look and feel
technology and material limitations. of traditional injection molding for
With 3D printing, design complexity is end-use consumer goods, drones,
no longer constrained by traditional robotics, prosthetics, or any other
manufacturing methods. Complex visible part. Additionally, these post-
geometries, lattices, and textures can processing solutions can enhance
be applied to any form to create truly the mechanical performance of parts,
unique designs. provide protection from UV rays, and
even make them waterproof.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

TECHNOLOGY &
MATERIAL
KEY CONSIDERATIONS

During the first steps of the

manufacturing process, the choice
of material and technology play an
important role in the part’s overall
surface aspect. There are some
aspects to consider while making this
essential choice.

Resolution
1
Ultracur3D® RG 35 - DLP, Coating finish (Source: Forward AM)

The 3D printing resolution is an

indication of the accuracy of the 3D Layer thickness
3
printer, which will directly determine
the quality of the 3D printed part. It is Layer thickness in 3D printing is a
described in 3 different dimensions: measure of the layer height of each
X, Y and Z. The horizontal resolution successive addition of material in
(XY) is the planar dimension, the the additive manufacturing process
smallest movement the laser of the in which layers are stacked. SLA 3D
3D printer can make in one layer. The printing process is able to achieve
smaller the movement, the better smaller layer thicknesses, the reason
the details. The vertical resolution (Z) for the improved print quality lies in
is the layer height or layer thickness. their much higher XY-resolution.

Size of part Material properties

2 4
The size of the part is an important Not every material is compatible
consideration when selecting the with all kinds of finishes. Rubber-like
3D printing technology. Higher plastic parts can’t handle the same
resolution technologies such as finishes as traditional Nylon PA12.
DLS, LCD, DLP, or SLA typically have Indeed, the adapted finishing will
smaller build volumes than powder also depend on the surface of the
bed fusion or FFF printers. raw material.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

THE HIERARCHY OF
3D PRINTING SURFACE
QUALITY

As-built surface quality refers to the raw (unfinished) surface of a part after being printed.
Surface quality is an essential aspect to consider before post-processing, as it will affect
the final result of your project. The main factor to consider is the technology you are
planning to use. It is important to note that surface quality will have to be balanced
against scale and cost when choosing the technology for your project.

As-built texture Technologies

Wax Casting
DLP/LCD
Smooth surface, SLA
slightly visible layers Polyjet

SLS
Slightly visible layers, MJF
grainy texture DMLS/SLM

Visible layers, FDM/FFF

very grainy texture Binder Jetting

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

SURFACE QUALITY AT
SCALE

Surface quality and scalability are often seen as being in competition when it comes to
additive manufacturing. But, with powder bed fusion and large format LCD technologies,
quality at scale is a reality.

PA12 TPU EPD 1006 PA11

Technology SLS & MJF SLS & MJF LCD SLS & MJF

Properties
Versatile Flexibility Waterproof Bio-sourced

Polish Polish
Post-processing Chemical smooth Chemical smooth Sanding Chemical smooth
Color touch Metalization Metalization Color touch
options Metalization Coating Coating Metalization
Coating Coating

Raw color

Raw surface Grainy Grainy Grainy

Smooth
quality Porous Porous Porous

Supports
required

SLS MJF SLS MJF SLS MJF

280
510
600 380 600 380 600 380
Batch
throughput 340
340 284
340
340 284
340
340 284
380 380 380

Large Build Volume Large Build Volume Large Build Tray Large Build Volume

Cost $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$ $$$$$

Summary
• Overall, powder bed fusion technologies provide a consistent starting point however,
industrialized post-processing is recommended for a more refined touch/feel.

• Resin technologies (DLP/LCD, DLS, SLA) offer a better raw surface finish but present
with fewer possibilities for post-processing.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

DESIGN
FIRST STEPS
The surface quality of your part starts 2. Respect the design guidelines
with the design process, but there
are some important first steps to While 3D printing removes
consider: many limitations of traditional
manufacturing, there are still some
1. Choose your technology, constraints to follow to ensure the
material, and post-processing design can be manufactured. Design
guidelines for each technology and
The choice of material, technology, material such as minimum wall
and post-processing with necessarily thickness, feature size, and tolerance
influence the design process and reduce the risk of failed parts and
play a critical role in the outcome defects during production. It’s also
of the part. The design has to be important to consider the constraints
adapted to the specific requirements of the post-processing since these
of the technology, taking into processes could damage fragile
consideration the need for supports design elements.
or manufacturing constraints. With
respect to material choice, this will
inform the potential post-processing 3. Pay attention to your 3D file
options and ultimately the final look.
Even after designing the perfect 3D
model which respects the design
guidelines of the chose material/
technology, turning this 3D model into
a physical object involves converting
the software’s native CAD format
into one that can be communicated
to the printer. This process is called
meshing and it plays a direct impact
on the surface quality of the part. The
higher the quality of the meshing the
higher the resolution of the print.
Meshing is particularly important on
round surfaces to avoid seeing faces
on the final part.
Ultracur3D® EPD 4006 - LCD, Unfinished

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

DESIGNING FOR TECHNOLOGIES

Each 3D printing technology presents a unique set of challenges to consider when

designing parts with the ideal surface finish. Consider the best practices below as you
prepare your design.

FFF & Photopolymer Technologies

• Avoid curved surfaces and low angle slopes in the Z direction, resulting in visible
steps between layers.
• Minimize support structures especially on important surfaces. The more your model
is in contact with supports, the more likely their removal may result in marks or breaks.

Powder Bed Fusion Technologies

• Curved surfaces and low angle slopes in the Z direction will cause visible steps.
• Dense parts or thick walls greater than 15mm can cause surface damage due to
thermal issues during the cooling process.
• For MJF technology, anticipate downskin (smoother) and upskin (leaves sharper edges
and grainier surface). Orient important faces downwards.
• Abrupt changes in thickness, such as ribs behind a surface can be visible through the
surface, due to thermal shrinking.
• Powder can be difficult to extract from designs with fine details, textures, or engraving.

Ultracur3D® EPD 1086 - LCD, Unfinished

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

DESIGN COMPLEXITY:
MINIMIZING SURFACE
AREA

A main advantage of 3D printing over

traditional manufacturing methods
is to create detailed, complex parts
rather than large smooth surfaces
with no details. Designers and
engineers have been taught to design
for traditional manufacturing, but this
doesn’t necessarily transfer to 3D
printing; what if the best surface was
no surface at all? With 3D printing,
hollow forms and lattices not only
provide functional optimizations,
they can also improve the surface
aspect by removing excess material.

Lattices: A structure with many

advantages

A lattice structure forms a network of

crosshatch sections that strengthen
the whole structure of a part. Lattices
allow for lightweight but strong
structures by minimizing the amount
of material. How does this improve
the surface aspect of parts? Less
material means less risk of thermal
defects during the cooling process.
Less surface area also means fewer
visible layers and less area to post-
process. Aside from these practical
benefits of lattices, they also add
visual interest and unique design,
showcasing the advantage of 3D
printing for complex geometries.

11
Ultracur3D® EPD 1086 - LCD, Unfinished
 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

THE POSSIBILITIES
OFFERED BY TEXTURE

The question of 3D printing surface quality has always centered on making parts as
smooth as possible, eliminating layer lines, and having the look and feel of injection
molded parts. While 3D printing and post-processing technologies have certainly made
advances in this regard, it’s also possible that what was once considered a “bug” could
rather be considered a feature of 3D printing if we make the most of surface textures in
the design process. In fact, if used creatively, texturing can even be a great advantage of
3D printed parts over injection molding.

Integrating textures on injection molded parts is a costly and complex process involving
etching of a texture into a physical mold. Custom textures can be designed directly into
the CAD file allowing for more flexibility and infinite design possibilities. With 3D printing, a
textured part costs the same to produce as a smooth one while unlocking new potentials
for designed surfaces.

Ultracur3D® EPD 1006 - LCD, Unfinished

How does it work?

1. Texture is either imported from a texture library or created from a

picture using grey levels converted to a depth map
2. Using CAD software such as Rhino, Zbrush, Blender, 4D additive, or
Solidworks the 2D image is mapped onto the 3D file by UV mapping
3. The texture is directly integrated into the geometry of the 3D file which
can be sent for production. Alternatively, the texture can be applied
directly in the slicing process in Cura or Carbon pre-process software

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

Why add texture?

Texture is another piece of the puzzle to achieve a high quality surface on 3D printed
parts. There are two main reasons to integrate texture: aesthetics and function.

Aesthetics:
Even the highest resolution 3D printing technologies will still leave some slightly visible
layers, using surface textures can camouflage these traits of the 3D printing process.
With some clever texturing, 3D printed parts are indistinguishable from injection molding
and can even offer other advantages such as branding or creating a uniform style across
product lines.

• Cover layers or other surface imperfections

• Mass-customization of personalized surfaces
• Branding a recognizable pattern/logo into products
• Mimic natural materials (i.e. leather, wood grain)
• Add visual interest
• Reduce glare or create matte surfaces

PA12 - SLS, Unfinished

Function:
Texture can also provide significant advantages when if comes to the function of end
use parts. There are three main scenarios where texture can improve the function: using
texture to improve the friction of a handle with a textured grip, texturing large surfaces
to improve the stiffness and strength of parts, without adding material by increasing wall
thickness, and finally, to create so called “high-performance surfaces”, specially designed
surfaces that improve water or air flow, reducing surface tension, or optimizing fluid
distribution for example.

• Grips for robotics/end-effector applications

• Traction for sliding surfaces/ wet environments
• Lattice/grids for light or sound applications
• Strengthen thin walled parts without adding weight
• Positioning/informational guides
• Water/air flow optimization

Ultracur3D® ST 45 B - DLP, Unfinished

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

POST-PROCESSING
l Proces
ysica s
Ph

POLISHING

PAINTING
ss
mical Proce

COLOR

Coloring
TOUCH

CHEMICAL DYEING
SMOOTHING
METALIZATION
Che

COATING

Which options exist today? Many finishes not only enhance

the visual aspect of the part
With the growing use of additive but also improve mechanical
manufacturing for production, and properties or provide protection
its adoption by different industries, from environmental conditions.
new finishes are constantly being Today’s post-processing solutions
developed for the most demanding can provide UV resistance, chemical
applications. The keys are consistency resistance, waterproofing, food
and quality of finished parts at any safety or bio-compatibility.
scale of production.
However, there are still some
Factors to consider constraints to consider which will
influence your choice of post-
As we’ve seen, design and the choice processing solution. In this section,
of material play an important role we outline the different solutions
in the finished look of a part. But, and explore the important factors to
there are other factors to consider consider when choosing a finishing
regarding the actual use of the part. option.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

COMPARING POST-PROCESSING SOLUTIONS

To make an objective comparison between the readily available post-processing options,

we’ll examine three different aspects for each finishing solution.

Visual Appearance
1
To compare the effects of different finishing techniques, we will refer to a 3D printed
test piece which features common surfaces and textures. The benchmark test piece is
printed in PA12 using SLS technology. This test piece can also serve as a guideline to
identify design constraints to keep in mind for each post-processing solution.

Grip texture to show the Wave surface

effect of finishes on fine
details

Points and bumps to show

Leather surface the effect of finishes on
texture fragile elements

Mechanical Properties Surface Roughness

2 3
To create a consistent and structured Testing the Ra of a flat surface
comparison, we will focus on three key indicates the evenness of the surface.
mechanical properties: elongation at We’ll compare surface roughness
break, Young’s Modulus and tensile before and after post-processing our
strength of untreated and finished PA12 SLS benchmark test piece.
tensile bars in PA12 SLS and TPU MJF.
These tests will help to understand **Ra (Roughness Average) is the most
how post-processing affects the common metric used to calculate
mechanical properties. roughness of a surface. It is calculated
measuring the deviation of surface
heights and depths across the surface.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

15
POLISHING
Polishing is a broad category of finishing which smooths
rough surfaces by friction with an abrasive. Tumble
polishing uses rotation and vibration of parts with an
abraisive media. Another form of polishing used for 3D
printed parts is abrasive blasting, where a part is blasted
by an abrasive media under high pressure.

Material Compatibility:
• All polymers & metals

Reduce friction Easier to clean

Tips:
• Avoid fragile parts with small details or overhangs
• Large flat surfaces can be difficult to polish in a
rotating tumbler
• Abrasive may be logged in hollow parts or parts with
small openings

How does it work?

01 The 3D part is added to a cauldron, filled with

polishing stones that rotate and vibrate.

02 The part is brushed by the rotating and vibrating

stones for 3-5 hours softening rough surfaces
and smoothing layer lines.

03 Once the part is removed, a technician attempts

to remove any small stones which may be
trapped inside hollow cavities.

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

POLISHING
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS

Mechanical Properties Raw Polished

Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 3.9

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

Polishing considerably improved the surface roughness of the test part. We notice a slight
rounding of the pointed features of the test piece. No other imperfections on the rest of
the features are noticeable.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

17
DYEING
The dyeing process allows colors to penetrate the
surface of the part. Liquid dyeing ensures that color
evenly reaches all surfaces of the parts including small
cavities, lattices, and hollowed parts.

Material Compatibility:
• Polyamides • Acrylic • PEEK
• Polyurethane • Polyester • ABS
• Elastomer • TPU

Wide range
of colors

Tips:
• Colors may fade over time
• Not recommended for exterior environments (UV
light, wet conditions)

How does it work?

01 A concentrated liquid dye base is diluted with

water and heated to 87°C.

02 Parts are immersed in the dye bath for 5-10

minutes to allow the color to infiltrate the parts.

03 A technician removes the parts and gently

washes the parts to remove excess dye. The
parts are then dried to allow the dye to set.

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

DYEING
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS

Mechanical Properties Raw Dyed

Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 6.0

Youngs Modulus (MPa) 1552 1417

Tensile Strength (MPa) 46 44

Elongation at Break (%) 15 19

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

The dyeing process results in a lower Young’s Modulus and a higher Elongation at Break.
Dyed parts are softer and more flexible. The surface roughness has also slightly increased
after treatment. The deep blue highlights the leather texture and emphasizes the relief of
the other features.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

19
CHEMICAL SMOOTHING
Chemical Smoothing uses a vapor solvent to smooth and
seal the surface creating a water and air tight part. This
process creates a glossy smooth surface allowing for
easier cleaning and reduced bacteria growth. It can also
be combined with coating for a more uniform surface.

Material Compatibility:
• All polymers

Less porous Waterproof Glossy

Tips:
• Avoid parts with high variation in density
• Avoid fragile parts or parts with tight cavities
• Parts must be suspended within the machine

How does it work?

01 An initial tumble polishing removes loose

material and rough surfaces.

02 Parts are suspended on small wires or hooks to

ensure the solvent can penetrate every surface
evenly inside the PostPro 3D by AMT.

03 The PostPro 3D vaporizes a chemical solvent

which condenses on the surface of the part. The
vapor reacts with the polymer, sealing pores
and creating a smooth, glossy surface. The parts
are dried in the processing chamber and then
extracted from the machine ready for use.

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

CHEMICAL SMOOTHING
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS TPU01 MJF

Chemical Chemical
Mechanical Properties Raw Raw
Smoothing Smoothing
Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 1.7 - -

Youngs Modulus (MPa) 1552 1425 88 88

Tensile Strength (MPa) 46 45 8 8

Elongation at Break (%) 15 18 189 196

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

Chemical Smoothing drastically improves the surface roughness of the test piece. With a
lower Young’s Modulus and higher Elongation at Break, parts are more flexible and softer
for PA12. There were no significant differences in the mechanical properties of TPU. The
features of the test part have a slightly glossy finish, without any alteration to the geometry.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

21
COLOR TOUCH

The Color Touch process uses specialized dyeing

technology to deeply infiltrate color into parts.
DyeMansion coloring ensures certified colors and
consistent finishing across production batches. The
deeper coloring minimizes fading when exposed to UV
light and heat and increases scratch resistance.

Material Compatibility:
• All polyamides

Scratch UV resistant Skin safe Light and heat

resistant resistance

Tips:
• Avoid fragile parts with small details or overhangs
• Large flat surfaces can become warped
• Abrasive may be logged in hollow parts or parts with
small openings

How does it work?

01 An initial tumble polishing and shot peening

remove rough surfaces and ensure uniform dye
penetration.

02 The parts are placed in the DyeMansion’s

DeepDye Coloring technology, using a
specialized dye cartridge the preset program
runs for 1.5 - 2 hours. Using heat and pressure
the dye infiltrates the surface up to 200 µm.

03 A final shot peening with ceramic beads ensures

a perfectly smooth surface.

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

COLOR TOUCH
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS

Mechanical Properties Raw Color Touch

Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 3.5

Youngs Modulus (MPa) 1552 1499

Tensile Strength (MPa) 46 45

Elongation at Break (%) 15 16

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

The Color Touch process has greatly reduced the surface roughness while also decreasing
the Young’s Modulus to make the test part slightly more flexible. We notice a slight softening
of edges and pointed features of the test piece.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

23
METALIZATION
Metalization is the process of depositing a thin layer of
metal onto the surface of an object by electroforming.
Polymer parts take on the visual characteristics of a
metal surface without the weight of a full metal part. This
process can add up to several milimeters to the surface.

Material Compatibility:
• All polymers
• All photopolymers

Corrosive Waterproof Lightweight Airtight

resistant

Tips:
• Small details may be lost due to the metal layer
• Any surface imperfections will be amplified, ensure a
smooth surface

How does it work?

01 An initial tumble polishing removes rough

surfaces and a conductive layer is applied.

02 An electrical contact is made on the part creating

an oxidation-reduction of metal ions preparing
the part to receive the metal surface.

03 The part is immersed in a copper or nickel bath,

the time spent in the bath will determine the
thickness of the deposited metal (from a few
microns to several millimeters).

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

METALIZATION
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS TPU01 MJF

Mechanical Properties Raw Metalization Raw Metalization

Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 0.2 - -

Youngs Modulus (MPa) 1552 1593 88 160

Tensile Strength (MPa) 46 47 8 8

Elongation at Break (%) 15 10 189 185

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

Metalization has dramatically reduced the surface roughness, making the best surface
treatment of all post-processes we tested. Metalization also lowered the elongation at
break for PA12 while an increase of stiffness is noted for TPU parts. The testing process
caused the metalization surface to crack for TPU tensile bars. The surface of the wave
features resulted in a quality finish after metalization, however, the other test features with
finer details resulted in rough edges and inconsistent metalization in deeper textures.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

25
COATING
This surface treatment covers the accessible surfaces of
a part with a polymer based coating. The coating doesn’t
penetrate the surface but forms a strong adhesion due
to a chemical bond. Coating can be made in a wide variety
of colors and also improve the properties of the part to
be able to withstand tough environmental conditions.

Material Compatibility:

• All Polyamides
• TPU

UV resistant Skin safe As flexible as

the material

Tips:
• Small details may be lost due to the coating layer
• Very complex geometries which are difficult to
access are not recommended

How does it work?

01 An initial pre-treatment removes rough surfaces

and layer lines ensuring a uniform surface.
The part is then thoroughly cleaned to ensure
maximum adhesion.

02 A primer is applied by spray gun to help the

spray coating adhere to the part.

03 A technician manually applies a spray coating

from all angles. The coating forms a chemical
bond preventing peeling or cracking. Depending
on the color, multiple layers of coating may be
applied.
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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

COATING
CLOSER LOOK

PA12 SLS TPU01 MJF

Mechanical Properties Raw Coating Raw Coating

Surface Roughness (µm) 5.7 3.2 - -

Youngs Modulus (MPa) 1552 1468 88 82

Tensile Strength (MPa) 46 44 8 8

Elongation at Break (%) 15 14 189 177

This information and values are presented as guidance only and based on Sculpteo's knowledge and experience. It is believed to be accurate, however all guarantees are explicitly
denied. This document was updated July 2021.

Raw

Coating greatly improved the surface roughness of the test piece and also resulted in a
softer, more flexible PA12 part. For TPU there was no significant difference in mechanical
properties. The waves and leather texture features produce a suitable finish after coating.
More profound textures with tight gaps leave visible imperfections where an uneven
coating application suppresses the texture.

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo

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 The Complete Surface Finish Guide for 3D Printing

PUTTING IT ALL
TOGETHER

We started by looking at three myths of 3D printing, now that

we’ve seen what’s truly possible, let’s take a look at the three
realities of 3D printing:

Quality 3D printed parts are here to stay. With the development of

1 technologies, materials and finishes, additive manufacturing has become

a real manufacturing solution to produce quality finished parts at scale.

Budget, quantity, and surface quality are (somewhat) in competition.

2 While it is possible to have a high definition surface quality for 3D printed

parts, the scale of production could make this cost prohibitive. Choosing
a technology that can scale would marginally reduce the surface aspect
while keeping the budget in check.

Consistent quality is best left to the professionals. A professional

3 Additive Manufacturing partner has the knowledge and experiece of

working with different technologies to deliver quality parts. A trusted
production partner can deliver to your expectations, from choosing
the right material to Design for Additive Manufacturing to industrialized
post-processing.

Ultrasint® TPU01 - MJF, Chemical Smoothing

© Copyright 2021 Sculpteo
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 PARIS SAN FRANCISCO
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