All You Need to Know About Vapor Smoothing in 3D Printing

Many parts are not immediately usable after 3D printing and, depending on the printing process chosen, require cleaning and finishing. Through this, it is possible to improve an object’s mechanical properties or refine its surface finish. There are a multitude of techniques available for this purpose, but they always depend on the printing technology, the material and the application. One method of surface treatment for plastic parts is vapor smoothing.

This physical-chemical process densifies and smoothes the surface of thermoplastics. The chemical is applied to the part via steam injection. The longer and more intensive the chemical treatment, the glossier and smoother the 3D printed part. But how does it work, and what do you need to watch out for?

Vapor smoothing is a post-processing technique used to obtain smooth surfaces on 3D printed parts (photo credits: Xometry).

How Does Vapor Smoothing Work?

The principle of vapor smoothing is to liquefy the top print layer under the effect of steam and chemicals, and to reorganize the surface molecules, thus improving its structure. The process takes place in a hermetically sealed, heated chamber, into which the 3D-printed parts are placed.