Instructions for Use (IFU) for Water-Soluble Sacrificial 3D Printed Resins
This document provides application-specific instructions for the use of water-soluble sacrificial photopolymer resin systems supplied by 3Dresyns®.
3Dresyns water-soluble sacrificial resins are intrinsically soluble in water (and alcohols) both in liquid form and after printing. This property enables their use as sacrificial materials for complex internal cavities, channels, molds and indirect manufacturing processes.
Important: although these resins are water-soluble, water or alcohol must NOT be used for cleaning immediately after printing, as they would dissolve or deform the printed structure before post-curing.
This document does not replace the general IFU and applies only to resin systems designed to be removed by water dissolution after printing.
Scope of application
This IFU applies to
- Water-soluble sacrificial resins used as supports, cores or temporary structures
- Indirect manufacturing workflows
- Multi-material or sequential processing routes
This IFU does not apply to
- Permanent structural resins
- Non-water-soluble sacrificial systems
- Dissolution using solvents other than water unless explicitly validated
Key principles of water-soluble sacrificial resins
- Soluble in water before and after printing: the resin is water-soluble by design in both liquid and solid states.
- Controlled post-processing is mandatory: direct contact with water or IPA immediately after printing will dissolve or damage fresh prints.
- Cleaning and post-curing must be performed using a non-aqueous, non-reactive medium: Cleaning Fluid WS1 Bio.
- Final dissolution in water (or alcohol) is intentionally performed only after printing, cleaning and post-curing.
- During printing, minimize the resin volume in the vat to reduce surface plasticization and stickiness caused by prolonged contact with liquid resin.
- An automatic resin feeder or similar system is recommended to maintain a low resin level.
- Some sacrificial resins may swell instead of fully dissolving, depending on kinetic parameters such as light power and total energy dosage, which are printer- and process-dependent.
Nature of water-soluble sacrificial resin systems
Water-soluble sacrificial resins are functional photopolymer systems designed to provide:
- Sufficient mechanical integrity during printing and handling
- Controlled solubility in water after printing
These materials are optimized for temporary functionality, not for long-term mechanical or environmental resistance.
Solubility behavior depends on:
- Resin formulation and version
- Degree of curing
- Printed geometry and thickness
- Water temperature, flow and exposure time
Recommended equipment
- A low-cost wash & cure machine (~100 €), such as this Wash & Cure machine, or any equivalent system.
Printing
- Follow our general Instructions for Use (IFU) and the specific IFU corresponding to your printing technology (SLA, DLP, LCD, etc.).
- Additional printer-specific IFU can be requested at info@3Dresyns.com after ordering.
Printing considerations
Water-soluble sacrificial resins may exhibit:
- Different curing behavior compared to permanent resins
- Lower mechanical strength after printing
- Sensitivity to overcuring, which may reduce dissolution efficiency
Exposure parameters must be calibrated to balance:
- Sufficient print stability
- Adequate solubility during removal
Overcuring may significantly increase dissolution time or prevent complete removal.
Design and geometry considerations
Printed sacrificial structures should be designed to:
- Allow water access to all areas to be removed
- Avoid enclosed cavities without drainage paths
- Minimize unnecessary bulk
Thin sections and open geometries dissolve more efficiently than thick or enclosed features.
Post-printing handling
- Handle parts carefully to avoid premature breakage.
- Avoid excessive mechanical stress.
- Store in dry conditions prior to dissolution.
Extended exposure to humidity before dissolution may affect dimensional stability.
Cleaning & post-processing protocol (before dissolution)
This protocol enables safe handling and dimensional stability of water-soluble sacrificial prints prior to intentional dissolution.
Step 1 – Removal
- Remove prints from the build platform using a spatula.
Step 2 – Cleaning (NO water, NO IPA)
- Place the prints in a washing basket and immerse them in Cleaning Fluid WS1 Bio.
- Remove uncured resin by gently dipping the prints up and down.
- Magnetic stirring (wash mode) or a soft brush may be used inside WS1 Bio if necessary.
Step 3 – Light post-curing in immersion
- Post-cure the cleaned prints while immersed in a transparent container filled with fresh, unused Cleaning Fluid WS1 Bio.
- Recommended post-curing times:
- 5–10 min: dry surface
- 10–20 min: increased rigidity (recommended)
- 20–60 min: higher rigidity but increased brittleness due to over-curing
Step 4 – Surface drying
- Remove residual WS1 Bio by:
- spraying acetone, or
- using compressed air, or
- wiping gently with a clean cloth.
Step 5 – Support removal
- Cut supports after post-curing.
- If supports are too brittle, cut them before post-curing.
Step 6 – Intentional dissolution (final step)
- When required by the application, dissolve the sacrificial structure in water (or alcohol) after printing, cleaning and post-curing.
Note: Full dissolution cannot be guaranteed in all cases, as printer light power, wavelength, exposure time and total energy dosage may influence solubility and swelling behaviour.
Note: Always use fresh Cleaning Fluid WS1 Bio for post-curing to avoid contamination with uncured resin from previous wash cycles.
Reusing Cleaning Fluid WS1 Bio
- Expose the used cleaning fluid to sunlight or a light box.
- Uncured resin will polymerize into solid particles.
- Filter using a paint filter.
- The filtered cleaning fluid can be reused multiple times.
Dissolution and removal process
Dissolution is typically performed using:
- Water at ambient or moderately elevated temperature
- Static soaking, gentle agitation or controlled water flow
Key considerations:
- Higher water temperature generally accelerates dissolution
- Increased surface exposure reduces removal time
- Aggressive mechanical force should be avoided to prevent damage to adjacent permanent structures
Complete removal may require extended immersion depending on geometry and curing degree.
Compatibility with surrounding materials
When sacrificial resins are used in combination with permanent printed materials:
- Compatibility between dissolution conditions and permanent materials must be verified
- Water exposure must not degrade or deform the remaining structure
Users are responsible for validating multi-material compatibility.
Residue control and rinsing
After dissolution:
- Thoroughly rinse parts with clean water
- Ensure any residual sacrificial material is fully removed
- Use multiple rinse cycles for complex geometries where needed
Incomplete removal may affect subsequent processing or part performance.
Environmental and safety considerations
Water-soluble sacrificial resins are designed to be removed using water; however:
- Dissolved residues may still require proper disposal
- Local environmental and waste regulations must be followed
Users are responsible for safe handling and disposal practices.
Limitations and responsibilities
Water-soluble sacrificial resins are process-dependent materials. Users are responsible for:
- Validating dissolution efficiency for their specific geometry
- Ensuring compatibility with permanent materials
- Qualifying final parts for their intended application
3Dresyns does not assume responsibility for incomplete removal or application-specific failures.
Relationship to other Instructions for Use
This IFU must always be used together with:
- Instructions for Use (IFU) & Printing Parameters for DLP & LCD printers
- Any relevant printer-specific IFU
In case of discrepancy, the most application-specific IFU prevails.
Governing principle
Water-soluble sacrificial photopolymer resins provide temporary functionality within a multivariable manufacturing system. Dissolution behavior and final outcomes depend on formulation, processing and geometry and must be validated by the user.