Water-wash resin is a photopolymer that cures under 405nm UV light (the same as traditional resin) but uses tap water instead of isopropyl alcohol for post-print cleaning. It produces comparable detail resolution with significantly lower chemical costs and safer handling.
How It Works
All UV resins cure through photopolymerization — liquid monomers cross-link into solid polymers when exposed to specific wavelengths of light. Water-wash resin uses the same photoinitiators but with a different surfactant system that allows uncured resin to dissolve in water.
Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 405nm |
| Detail resolution | 25-50μm (printer dependent) |
| Shore hardness | 70-80 D |
| Cleaning | Tap water, 3-5 minutes |
| Post-cure | UV, 5-10 minutes |
| Odor | Low (compared to traditional) |
| Storage | Sealed, room temperature, away from UV |
Advantages
- Cost: Tap water replaces budget-friendly-25/L IPA
- Safety: No flammable chemical storage required
- Environment: Water dilutes and disposes safely
- Workspace: No dedicated ventilation needed (still recommended)
Printing Workflow
- Print as usual (405nm, standard exposure settings)
- Remove print from build plate
- Rinse in tap water for 3-5 minutes (agitate gently)
- Air dry or blow dry (compressed air)
- Post-cure under UV for 5-10 minutes
- Remove supports
Individual results depend on your printer, environment and application.