What if you could electroplate a plastic 3D print and then eliminate the plastic, leaving only the metal? This intriguing process has been explored by HEN3DRIK, yielding impressive results.
HEN3DRIK employs a specialized PVB casting filament for this experiment. This filament has unique traits that make it suitable for smoothing with isopropanol and for burning off during casting processes. After printing, he vapor polishes the objects to enhance their surface finish, then covers them with copper paint, making the plastic conductive. The next step involves electroplating the parts with copper, creating a shiny metallic layer about 240 micrometers thick. Finally, he uses a blowtorch to burn away the casting filament, leaving behind a metal shell. However, this fire also tends to produce an unattractive oxide layer on the copper, necessitating additional finishing work to restore their shine.
We have previously featured HEN3DRIK’s projects, particularly his work on electroplated 3D prints with mirror finishes, which can serve as a great starting point for those interested in this latest technique.