How To Anneal Tough Pro PLA+ (High Temp)

Annealing your Tough Pro PLA+ 3D prints is the best way to get the maximum heat resistance and toughness from your 3D printed part.

Tough Pro PLA+ is formulated to crystallize when annealed post-printing. Crystallization is a simple and effective route to improve the thermal performance and further enhance the impact properties of Tough Pro PLA+. The recommended annealing temperature is in the range of 110°C-120°C. Annealing can be carried out in an oven or some other medium of heat transfer, such as a hot water bath. Ensure you follow safety procedures that are appropriate for working around elevated temperatures. Below is a general guideline to anneal parts printed with Tough Pro PLA+:

1. Preheat oven to an annealing temperature range of (110°C-120°C).
2. Measure temperature at various locations in the oven to ensure absence of hot/cold spots. Uneven heating can lead to unexpected warpage and sub-optimal performance of the part.
3. Place the printed part in the oven and start the timer.
   1. Typically, the time to anneal parts with a wall thickness of 0.125 in (~3.18 mm) is around 20 minutes, but this time is dependent on the wall thickness.
   2. For large-dimension parts, it is common to use support fixtures (e.g., aluminum jigs) during the annealing process.
   3. You may notice the print undergo a milky/matte/opaque color transformation.
4. Once removed from the oven, let the part cool in ambient conditions. Minimize handling, as the inside of the part will likely remain at elevated temperatures longer than the outside.
5. If using a water bath to anneal, the part may need to be at temperature for a slightly longer time to crystallize (since the water bath cannot be maintained at 110°C-120°C).
6. Measure dimensions of the part prior to annealing and again after, to determine shrinkage.

Shrinkage and/or warping may occur. The degree of shrinkage/warping depends heavily on the part geometry.