Frequently asked questions

• Make sure your print nozzle is off (if it doesn’t turn off automatically).
• Remove the AquaSys material from any sustained high temperature.
• Fix your set back temperature to 120°C, the correct nozzle temperature when not printing a layer. This increases the residence time before degradation occurs in the nozzle.
• If you print in a humid environment, use a drying system to prevent moisture-related issues. (We recommend PrintDry or Ultimaker drying systems.) 

• AquaSys 120 is a water-soluble filament. Place your printed object in a wash tank or bucket with warm water (minimum temperature of 35°C).
• Use elevated temperatures (70 – 80°C) or agitation (stir, shake, etc.) to make AquaSys 120 dissolve faster.

• As a water-soluble material, AquaSys 120 tends to absorb moisture. Always store your filament in the resealable bag it arrives in, and double-check that you’ve completely sealed the bags after each use.
• If AquaSys absorbs moisture while in storage, you’ll notice the color of the printed filament will be cloudy, instead of translucent gold. If that happens, dry at 70°C for 3 – 4 hours.
• Never store AquaSys on the back or side of the printer.

AquaSys has a manufacturer’s warranty of one (1) year when properly stored. To extend your filament’s shelf life well beyond the one-year warranty period, use these storage techniques:

• As a water-soluble material, AquaSys 120 tends to absorb moisture. Always store your filament in the resealable bag it arrives in, and double-check that you’ve completely sealed the bags after each use.
• If AquaSys absorbs moisture while in storage, you’ll notice the color of the printed filament will be cloudy, instead of translucent gold. If that happens, dry at 70°C for 3 – 4 hours.
• Never store AquaSys on the back or side of the printer. 

AquaSys 120 is compatible with ABS, PC/ABS, Nylon, TPU, CPE, PC, and PP.

AquaSys 120 provides stable support to complex designs, even those with features like cavities, voids, angles over 45 degrees, or intricate internal details.

Charring typically occurs at 245°C—so check your extrusion temperature. It’s possible to successfully print at higher nozzle temperatures, but it depends on how long the material is exposed to the higher temperature. Other things to consider:

• Make sure you’re using the correct filament size (1.75mm or 2.85mm).
• Utilize the AquaSys 120 print profiles available on the Ultimaker Marketplace.
• You can’t print reliably with AquaSys 120 filament if you print on a closed system and with no print profile for it. 

• The AquaSys material could be dragged or caught in the system. Check the feed path to make sure any drag is minimized.
• Your nozzle could be dirty or clogged. Inspect it and clean it if necessary.
• Check your extrusion temperature. It could be too low, leading to under-extrusion.
• If your extruder has a Bowden tube, the tube path may be causing the material to soften. In general, avoid using Bowden tubes when printing material above 80°C.

This could be happening due to one of the following reasons:

• Your filament could have absorbed moisture, leading to foaming—which causes material drag. Dry it at 70°C for 3 – 4 hours.
• Your nozzle could be dirty. We recommend cleaning it with a brass brush.
• Charring typically occurs at 245°C—so check your extrusion temperature.

• Quick fixes: Reduce your printer speed, increase temperatures, or check your printer software for specific recommendations.
• AquaSys 120 should adhere to a wide range of build plate materials. If poor adhesion is persistent, increase the temperature of the build plate, but never exceed 120°C.
• Make sure that the extrudate is clear and not opaque. Wet or opaque filament may lose adhesion properties.
• Make sure your print parameters fit within the following: 
• Increase your fan speed.
• Decrease the nozzle temperature.
• Retract the filament when not printing to reduce “tails” or “wisps” using the retraction settings specific to your machine.

You can modify your settings to shorten the filament pathway or to keep the filament cooled prior to extrusion.

AquaSys releases best at room temperature. Allow the build plate to completely cool down before attempting to remove your part.

Depending on your print complexity you should inspect for:

• Quality of surface finish
• No warping
• Material-to-material adhesion 
• Support material color and consistency

You can access the AquaSys 120 Safety Data Sheet (SDS) here.

You can access the AquaSys 120 Technical Data Sheet (TDS) here.