Hello,
Does anyone know if Z-ABS is safe for food storage?
I read about ABS plastics in general, and mostly they seem to be OK, however, different manufacturers put different things into their forumla that may or may not be.
Does anyone know with certainty if we should be able to safely drink out of a cup printed in Z-ABS, or store some kind of food in it?
How about other Z materials?
Thanks,
-- Peconi
Here you can read Z-ABS safety data sheet: https://zortrax.com/support-center/download/5But I it is not only about material what matters.Nothing printed on FDM printer is food safe. There are milions of small gaps in the model where bacteria can grow. And you can naver fully clean 3D printed models, neither with dishwasher.
Good to know. Thanks.
I intend to mostly store dry foods (cereal, salt, sugar, etc.) - but did not want anything "seeping into" them :)
So, hazardous decomposition products (as per sheet):
- Irritant / Poisonous gases/vapors
- Smoke
- Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide
- Hydrocarbons
- Hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid)
- Styrene
- Aldehyde
- Phenol
- Acrylonitrile
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
I would suppose that some of these are present when printing, since in an essence we are decomposing (or recomposing) the plastic. Most bad ones are probably not present in the "solid" form in ABS plastic, but rather when trully decomposing or burning the thing.
First few we all understand. Here's some more info on others:
Hydrocarbons
The hydrocarbons can be derived from either petroleum or wood. Toxicity from hydrocarbon ingestion can affect many different organs, but the lungs are the most commonly affected organ. The chemical properties of the individual hydrocarbon determine the specific toxicity, while the dose and route of ingestion affect which organs are exposed to the toxicity. Unlike the aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons, the halogenated hydrocarbons tend to cause a wider range of toxicity.
Summary => toxic
Hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid)
This one comes up when burning plastics. We're kinda melting it in the 3D printing process, not quite buring, but good to know about it. It is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula HCN. It is a colorless, extremely poisonous liquid that boils slightly above room temperature, at 25.6 °C (78.1 °F). It interferes with the normal use of oxygen by nearly every organ of the body. Exposure to hydrogen cyanide (AC) can be rapidly fatal.
Summary => toxic
Styrene
Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and phenylethene, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative of benzene is a colorless oily liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations confer a less pleasant odor.
Styrene is regarded as a "hazardous chemical", especially in case of eye contact, but also in case of skin contact, of ingestion and of inhalation, according to several sources. Styrene is largely metabolized into styrene oxide in humans, resulting from oxidation by cytochrome P450. Styrene oxide is considered toxic, mutagenic, and possibly carcinogenic.
Summary => potentially toxic
Aldehyde
Aldehydes have properties that are diverse and that depend on the remainder of the molecule. Smaller aldehydes are more soluble in water, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde completely so. The volatile aldehydes have pungent odors. Despite a significant health risk due to exposure, the mechanisms of aldehyde toxicity are poorly understood. This ambiguity is likely due to the structural diversity of aldehyde derivatives and corresponding differences in chemical reactions and biological targets.
Summary => probably not good
Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The toxic effect of phenol on the central nervous system, discussed below, causes sudden collapse and loss of consciousness in both humans and animals; a state of cramp precedes these symptoms because of the motor activity controlled by the central nervous system. Injections of phenol were used as a means of individual execution by the Nazis during the Second World War.
Summary => not good
Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is a chemical compound with the formula C3H3N. This colorless liquid often appears yellow due to impurities. It is an important monomer for the manufacture of useful plastics. Acrylonitrile is highly flammable and toxic. It undergoes explosive polymerization. The burning material releases fumes of hydrogen cyanide and oxides of nitrogen. It is classified as a Class 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and workers exposed to high levels of airborne acrylonitrile are diagnosed more frequently with lung cancer than the rest of the population.
Summary => not good
Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases that are composed of nitrogen and oxygen. Two of the most common nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Exposure to high industrial levels of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide can cause death. It can cause collapse, rapid burning and swelling of tissues in the throat and upper respiratory tract, difficult breathing, throat spasms, and fluid build-up in the lungs. It can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen through the body, causing headache, fatigue, dizziness, and a blue color to the skin and lips.
Summary => not good
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I think it's safe to say - "better safe then sorry" - let's not store food in ABS of any kind, at least not liquid since a lot of these things above are water soluble.
Now - I am no chemist and am probably wrong here, but maybe someone who knows more about it can give some more info.
OR - even better - Zortrax gives us some really healthy materials to print in (like some kind of wood) :-)
I printed a couple shot glasses.. I'm pretty sure the liquid inside the glass is way worse than the glass itself.. :D
I printed a couple shot glasses.. I'm pretty sure the liquid inside the glass is way worse than the glass itself.. :D
Good one ;)
Nothing printed on FDM printer is food safe. There are milions of small gaps in the model where bacteria can grow. And you can naver fully clean 3D printed models, neither with dishwasher.
Bacteria is good for you, it makes you strong!
rather it potentially makes you dead or otherwise unable to procriate leaving only the ABS kitchenware resistant genepool to multiply eventually leading to a stronger human race potentially without you in it 
J/k 
Acetone vapor to seal part.. No more problems!!
Bacteria is good for you, it makes you strong!
Yes, in moderate dose.
But do you really wanna eat your food from dirty and stinky food container?
OK.. Here you go..
ABS http://www.plasticsintl.com/abs.htm
HIPS http://www.plasticsintl.com/polystyrene-high-impact.htm
OK.. Here you go..
ABS http://www.plasticsintl.com/abs.htm
HIPS http://www.plasticsintl.com/polystyrene-high-impact.htm
Natural (translucent white) HIPS is FDA compliant for use in food processing applications.
Guess we do not have that one in Z-HIPS do we?
Yes, in moderate dose.
But do you really wanna eat your food from dirty and stinky food container?
No. I eat only from the finest china, waterford crystal, and sterling silver place settings.
Natural (translucent white) HIPS is FDA compliant for use in food processing applications.
Guess we do not have that one in Z-HIPS do we?
White Z-HIPS is what they call "natural"
No. I eat only from the finest china, waterford crystal, and sterling silver place settings.
I use paper plates and eat with my fingers.. :P