copper grease

[ultiarjan 1,223]

after changing my nozzle/heater many times on the UM2 there's no copper grease in there anymore, I assume it's probably a good idea to put some there... can I just use any type? any suggestions on the brand or type (I'm in the Netherlands)...

 

google;

 

[valcrow 145]

on my UMO, i stick the brass piece in an ultrasonic cleaner, I think it buzzed away all the grease.. would like to know as well. (and how essential is it?)

On a side note, would CPU thermal paste work? seems like that would conduct heat just as well if not better, just don't know if it would be able to withstand that kind of heat. And I always seem to have some of that floating around.

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

@ Valcrow. I have a nice ultrasonic cleaner her and one day plan to throw a bass nozzle in when I have some down time. What kind of detergent did you use, and what were the results?

 

[valcrow 145]

It didn't help very much at all. Didn't clean the PLA out. It did degrease the thing very well though. (which is not what I was going for) I tried regular heated water, soapy water, and even some hoppes 9 for science. Failed to clean the nozzle and the brass tuby thing.

I wouldn't recommend it.

However if you have an airbrush that thing works wonders! a little baggy with some airbrush cleaner, comes out brand new.

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

I didn't think it would do that great of a job. Probably why I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Does the airbrush cleaner break down the PLA? I have an airbrush, but I just use mineral spirits to clean it out. I'll have to look up "air brush cleaner"

Thanks

 

[valcrow 145]

Sorry I meant the ultrasonic machine works great on airbrushes, and not on printer parts.

I think if you had ABS in your nozzle, an ultrasonic clean with some acetone would probably do wonders.

Not sure what eats away PLA though....

 

[hreedijk 4]

Not sure what eats away PLA though....

 

Here you go....

Dissolving PLA:

http://www.vinland.com/blog/?p=68

Dissolving PLA used as support for ABS:

http://www.vinland.com/blog/?p=162

 

[ultiarjan 1,223]

back to the copper grease subject .... think this should be ok, spec > ok till 1100 celsius.

http://nl.rs-online.com/web/p/lubricants/2548239/

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

for what it's worth, I don't even use any grease, or thermal compound on my older UM2. Haven't had any problems with it. I can see if it were subjected to the elements, then galvanic corrosion may be accelerated, but in a temperature controlled environment, I haven't had any problems. It might be, in part, due to the fact that I disassemble the head once every 2 weeks or so.

 

[gr5 2,268]

The thermal conductive properties of copper grease aren't important on the UM2. It's just you need grease that can withstand temperatures of 300C. Or at least 280C.