Why chemical smoothing?
Smooth surface
Much lower roughness, pleasant feel.
Sealed
A closed surface absorbs less dirt and moisture.
Easier to clean
Good for parts with hygiene requirements.
High-quality look
Silky sheen, close to injection moulding.
How it works
- Step 1
Preparation
Clean the part and blast it if necessary.
- Step 2
Smoothing
Controlled vapour smooths the surface.
- Step 3
Outgassing
The part hardens and dries out.
- Step 4
Optional dyeing
Smoothing and dyeing can be combined.
Which processes and materials?
| Process / material | Suitability | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SLS · PA12 / PA11 | very good | typical use |
| SLS · TPU | good | for flexible parts |
| FDM · ABS / ASA | good | visibly smooths layer lines |
| SLA | not necessary | surface is already smooth |
Where it pays off
Notes
How smooth does a chemically smoothed part get?
Much smoother than raw – with a silky sheen and a pleasant feel, close to injection moulding. A controlled solvent vapour briefly dissolves the outermost layer, it flows, and layer lines and roughness largely disappear. The surface becomes sealed: it absorbs less dirt and moisture and is easier to clean.
The process is suitable for SLS and MJF parts in PA12, PA11 and TPU as well as FDM parts in ABS and ASA. Very sharp edges are slightly rounded, dimensions change minimally. Smoothing and dyeing can be combined.
Suitability
| SLS/MJF · PA12, PA11 | typical use |
|---|---|
| SLS · TPU | for flexible parts |
| FDM · ABS, ASA | visibly smooths layer lines |
| SLA | not necessary, already smooth |
| Dimensions | minimal change |
FAQ about chemical smoothing
How smooth does the part become?
Much smoother than raw – with a silky sheen. It is not a mirror finish.
Does the part become watertight?
The surface becomes more closed. Whether a part is really tight depends on wall thickness and geometry – we check this case by case.
Is it safe for health?
The solvent outgasses completely. For food or skin contact we clarify the material and certificates with you beforehand.
Want to turn your idea into a finished part?
Send us CAD data, a photo, a sketch or the original part. We check feasibility, process and material and get back to you with an assessment and a quote.