About this video

• Video Title: Do You ACTUALLY Need To Dry Your Filament? (Probably Not)
• Channel: The Next Layer
• Speakers: [Speaker's name not explicitly mentioned in the transcript]
• Duration: 00:24:50

Overview

This video investigates whether 3D printing filament actually needs to be dried before use, challenging common assumptions found online. The creator conducts a series of tests comparing the print quality and tensile strength of various filaments when printed wet versus dry. The findings aim to clarify which filaments benefit most from drying and which might not require the effort.

Key takeaways

• Visual Impact: PETG, TPU, and nylons are the only filaments noticeably affected aesthetically by moisture. PLA, ABS, and ASA generally do not show significant visual degradation from moisture under normal conditions.
• Strength Differences: While visual appearance is less affected for some filaments, moisture can significantly impact tensile strength, particularly in vertical (layer adhesion) samples. The strength reduction due to moisture can range from negligible to over 175% in some cases.
• Filament Specificity: The need for drying varies greatly by filament type. Nylons, particularly PA12, are highly hygroscopic and show substantial strength loss when wet. Blends like ePA and some PETGs also demonstrate significant moisture impact.
• Common Filaments Less Affected: PLA, ABS, and ASA show minimal, often statistically insignificant, strength differences between wet and dry states, suggesting drying may not be necessary for these materials unless significant issues like brittleness are already present.
• Methodology Limitations: The creator acknowledges limitations in their testing rig, which prevented breaking some horizontal samples and meant absolute strength values (megapascals) might not be directly comparable to other studies. However, the relative difference between wet and dry for each material is considered valid.

Yes, the video provides suggestions relevant to printing PETG in a humid climate like Oklahoma.

• Visual Appearance: The video notes that PETG is one of the filaments noticeably affected aesthetically by moisture.
• Strength: For PETG Pro, the video found a significant difference in strength (228.71%) between dry and wet prints in vertical (layer adhesion) tests. For Polymaker PETG, a 15% difference was observed in horizontal strength tests.
• Drying Recommendation: The results suggest that drying PETG is beneficial, especially to maintain its strength, particularly in humid environments. The creator's testing indicated that PETG Pro showed a large strength difference when wet, implying that in a humid climate like Oklahoma, drying PETG would likely lead to better print quality and durability.

Based on the transcript, the video does not explicitly detail the best method for drying filament without purchasing a dedicated dryer, other than mentioning the use of a Sunlu E2 filament dryer. However, it does offer some clues and general principles:

• High Temperatures are Needed for Exotic Materials: The creator mentions that their Sunlu E2 dryer can reach 110°C, which is "absolutely necessary if we want to properly dry and test some of the more exotic materials." This suggests that for certain filaments, high temperatures are key.
• Drying Time is Also a Factor: The creator mentions drying Polymaker PETG for "4 hours not 6 or 8 hours" and expresses surprise at the minimal strength difference, implying that insufficient drying time might be a reason for less effective results.
• General Principle: The core idea is to remove moisture. Different methods like a dehydrator or oven would likely be more effective than simply leaving filament out.

Given your available equipment:

• Dehydrator: This is likely your best option among those listed. Dehydrators are designed to remove moisture at controlled, lower temperatures, which is often how filament is dried. You would need to research specific temperature and time recommendations for PETG in a dehydrator, as the video doesn't provide this information.
• Oven: This could also work, but requires very careful temperature control. Ovens can fluctuate in temperature, and setting it too high could melt or warp the filament. If using an oven, you would want to use the lowest possible setting and potentially monitor it closely.
• Microwave: Microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules. Using a microwave to dry filament is generally not recommended as it can lead to uneven heating, melting, and potential damage to the filament or the microwave itself. It's not designed for this purpose.

While the video focuses on the necessity of drying rather than the how-to without a dedicated dryer, it does highlight that for some materials, significant effort (like high temperatures and longer durations) is needed. For PETG, as discussed, drying is recommended to maintain strength. You would need to find reliable guides for using a dehydrator or oven for filament drying, as this specific video does not cover those methods.