Misc. Can Ethyl Acetate be Used to Remove PLA from Plaster of Paris Molds?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around creating a mold for jewelry using a 3D printed symbol and Plaster of Paris. The user is struggling to remove the print from the plaster mold without causing damage. Suggestions include using a mold release compound to facilitate easier removal, although the user expresses limited access to such materials. Alternatives proposed include 3D printing the negative halves of the mold and using materials like PVA, which dissolves in water, or methylene chloride, which can dissolve PLA without affecting plaster. The conversation highlights the need for effective mold-making techniques while considering the compatibility of materials used.
inspacewithcallisto
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I need something that will dissolve PLA but won't affect plaster of paris.
I'm trying to make a mold because I want to add something to some jewelry. I 3D printed the symbol that I wanted, and tried to make a mold with Plaster of Paris. But I can't take the print out of the plaster, and I don't want to damage it with a knife. I'm thinking ethyl acetate? A quick google search says it melts PLA, but I don't know what it does to plaster. Anyone have any ideas?
 
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Welcome to PF. :smile:

Could you try it again and use a mold release compound to make it easier to take apart?
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to PF. :smile:

Could you try it again and use a mold release compound to make it easier to take apart?
i don't think i have access to that :(
 
inspacewithcallisto said:
i don't think i have access to that :(
Why not? There are lots of mold release agents/compounds, including some that you can make for yourself. And Amazon has plenty of choices...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mold+rel...ture-scomp&tag=amz-mkt-fox-us-20&ref=aa_scomp

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inspacewithcallisto said:
tried to make a mold with Plaster of Paris
No idea what you plan to do, just in case: plaster of Paris won't survive high temperatures.
 
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inspacewithcallisto said:
Summary: I need something that will dissolve PLA but won't affect plaster of paris.

I'm trying to make a mold because I want to add something to some jewelry. I 3D printed the symbol that I wanted, and tried to make a mold with Plaster of Paris.
Hey wait a minute... Can you just 3D print the negative halves of the item you want to mold? In essence, 3D print the 2 halves of the mold and use it (with mold release compound!) to mold whatever your symbol/thing is.

https://3d.formlabs.com/moldmaking-...XPwhF9gGK1-cQcgnhePLgeABHGjJkFowaAh3IEALw_wcB

1665096613245.png
 
You can also print in PVA and use water to dissolve it.

BoB
 
PLA is soluble in dioxane, acetonitrile, chloroform, methylene chloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and dichloroacetic acid.

Plaster of paris is not soluble in any of these with the exception of dichloroacetic acid. I would use methylene chloride.
 
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I'm behing the curve here. What material is your final piece?
 
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It would either be gold or silver?
 
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