{"id":10217,"date":"2025-12-12T08:22:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T07:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prototal.info\/industrial-3d-printing\/polymer\/post-processing\/vapour-smoothing\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:44:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T12:44:16","slug":"vapour-smoothing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/prototal.info\/uk\/services\/industrial-3d-printing\/polymer\/post-processing\/vapour-smoothing\/","title":{"rendered":"Vapour Smoothing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Vapour Smoothing for Industrial Polymers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Elevate your Powder Bed Fusion parts (SLS, FDR & MJF) with an advanced surface refinement process. Achieve a fully sealed, injection molded aesthetic that enhances hygiene and performance through controlled molecular smoothing. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Vapor Smoothing is Powered by<\/h3>\n\n
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What is Vapor Smoothing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parts are placed in a controlled vacuum chamber where a specialised vapourised agent circulates. This agent interacts with the outer “skin” of the polymer, allowing the surface material to redistribute and flow into the microscopic “valleys” of the part. A perfectly sealed surface that is both smooth and semi-glossy. Because this is a gaseous process, it reaches every internal channel and complex lattice structure with total uniformity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluid and Airtight Sealing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By fusing the surface pores, parts become naturally waterproof and airtight \u2014the gold standard for manifolds, tanks, and ducting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Enhanced Hygiene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By removing the surface porosity, bacteria and contaminants have no place to harbor. This makes the process essential for Medical and Food-Contact applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanical Ductility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The vapor-phase refinement can improve elongation-at-break, making parts slightly more flexible and resilient compared to raw prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internal Channel Refining<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike mechanical finishing, the gas reaches deep inside complex internal geometries that physical media cannot touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Vapour Smoothing at a Glance<\/h3>\n\n
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Feature<\/th>Prototal Vapour Smooting Capability<\/th>Benefit<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Primary Goal<\/td>Surface Sealing & Smoothing<\/td>Creates fluid-tight, airtight parts<\/td><\/tr>
Surface Roughness<\/td>Ra<\/em> < 1 \u00b5m<\/td>Achieves a high-gloss, premium finish<\/td><\/tr>
Compatible Technologies<\/td>MJF, SLS & FDR<\/td>Optimised for Powder Bed Fusion polymers<\/td><\/tr>
Compatible Post-Processing<\/td>DeepDye Colouring<\/td>Ensures superior dye intake and glossy finish<\/td><\/tr>
Maximal Part Size<\/td>385 x 585 x 385 mm<\/td>Uniformity for small & large parts<\/td><\/tr>
Geometry Access<\/td>100%<\/td>Smooths complex internal lattices<\/td><\/tr>
Dimensional Impact<\/td>Zero Material Removal<\/td>Maintains mass and structural integrity<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
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Surface roughness and dimensional impacts are based on standard industrial benchmarks for SLS PA 2200 & MJF PA 12 materials. It is important to note that final results are highly dependent on part geometry and wall thickness. For elastomeric materials such as SLS TPU, the vapour-phase process can lead to a more pronounced <\/strong>dimensional shrinkage compared to rigid polymers. Maximal part size is dependable on geometry.<\/p>\n\n

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The Ultimate Duo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For projects where aesthetic appeal and functional performance are equally critical, combining DeepDye Coloring and Vapour Smoothing delivers a result that is indistinguishable from traditional manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While DeepDye Colouring provides rich, consistent colour, the Vapour Smoothing process acts as the ultimate “amplifier.” By sealing the surface and reducing roughness to sub-micron levels before or after the colouring stage, we achieve: <\/p>\n\n\n\n