Weather Resistent 3D Printing Filament for Outdoor Use
Good UV resistance so outdoor colour holds rather than chalking
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Outdoor Signage Durability
Most outdoor sign failures trace back to a material decision made at quotation stage. This is the specification route we use, with the numbers that decide each choice.
Stage by Stage
Where It Goes Wrong and What We Do About It
UV Resistance
An outdoor sign is in sunlight all day. A material that is not UV resistant fades in colour and weakens in structure.
PETG-S is UV resistant and can be used in strong sunlight without oxidation or colour fading. PLA and ABS are not UV resistant and are unsuitable for outdoor use.
High Temperature
Summer surface temperatures in tropical zones soften materials with a low heat limit, and the sign distorts.
The maximum resisting temperature of PETG-S is 70 degrees, with a glass transition temperature of 85 degrees.
Low Temperature
In frigid zones a brittle material cracks at the mounting points during a hard frost.
The minimum resisting temperature of PETG-S is minus 40 degrees.
Water
A sign that is not waterproof deforms in rain and lets water reach the LED wiring.
PETG-S is waterproof, and the LED strip we supply is rated IP67 for rain and outdoor exposure.
Layer Adhesion
Weak bonding between layers, and between the face and the edges, is what makes an installed sign come apart.
Strong sticking layer by layer and at the joint between face and edges is a design requirement of the material, so the sign can be installed stably and used for a long period.
Structure
Large faces bow between fixings and the installation looks poor within months.
Set fixing spacing against 68 MPa bending strength and a flexural modulus of 2027 MPa rather than by eye, and keep face thickness consistent.
Colour Life
Applied vinyl and paint fail before the sign body does, and the repair is visible.
Printed colour runs through the wall thickness, so there is no layer to peel or chalk off.
Expected Service Life
Warranties are hard to offer without a stated durability figure.
PETG-S is specified at 5 to 10 years for outdoor use, which is the figure to quote against.
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Who Follows This Route
Retail Chains and Franchises
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Corporate and Property Branding
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Background Reading
The Most Important Factors of Outdoor 3D Printing Filament
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How to Make 3D Printing Filament from A to Z
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Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what buyers ask before ordering Outdoor Signage Durability.
Why not print outdoor signs in PLA
PLA is not high temperature resistant and not UV resistant, so it is unsuitable for outdoor use. ABS is not UV resistant either.
What temperature range does PETG-S cover
Minus 40 degrees to 70 degrees, with a glass transition temperature of 85 degrees.
How long should an outdoor printed sign last
5 to 10 years of outdoor use.
What IP rating do the LED strips have
IP67, which covers rain and outdoor exposure.
How do we stop a large face bowing
Set fixing spacing against the 68 MPa bending strength and 2027 MPa flexural modulus and keep the face thickness consistent.
Get A Custom Solution
Send your current process and the problem you are trying to remove from it. We will map it against this route.