Frequently asked questions

• Nozzle temperature: 190–250°C 
• Build plate temperature: 95–125°C 
• Chamber temperature: 20–50°C 
• Print Geometry: Gyroid for best dissolution 
• Adhesives: Print with a brim and glue on glass build plates. We recommend using a build plate adhesive designed for PP. You can also create a raft using AquaSys 120. 

• Make sure your print nozzle is off (if it doesn’t turn off automatically).
• Remove the material from any sustained high temperature. 
• Fix your setback temperature to 100°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.) 

Dissolve printed parts in water at 60°C–80°C for at least one day, changing the water every four hours. Parts should be submerged completely since they will float as dissolution proceeds.

• Because it’s a partially water-soluble material, Caverna PP 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.
• The metal bag should contain a desiccant. Don’t throw it out, and consider adding another desiccant if available for additional moisture protection. 
• Never expose the desiccant to moisture. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace it.
• If Caverna PP absorbs moisture while in storage, print quality will decrease. If that happens, dry at 70°C in a low-humidity environment for three to four hours. 
• Never store Caverna PP on the back or side of the printer.

Caverna PP 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:

• Always store your filament in the resealable metalized bag it arrives in.
• Don’t throw away the desiccant provided in the resealable bag.
• If the desiccant is exposed to moisture, replace it. 
• Place additional desiccants in the resealable bag if possible.

Caverna PP is compatible with polypropylene (PP) and AquaSys® 120 support material.

Caverna PP prints should be limited to thin-walled prints with openings to infill patterns. Open infills are necessary (e.g., Gyroid from Cura) to allow water to flow inside of the part.

Check your extrusion temperature — charring can become noticeable at 260°C. 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 Caverna PP print profiles available on the Ultimaker Marketplace. 
• You can’t print reliably with Caverna PP filament if you print on a closed system and with no print profile for it.

• The 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.

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 three to four hours. 
• Your nozzle could be dirty. We recommend cleaning it with a brass brush.
• Check your extrusion temperature — charring can become noticeable at 260°C. 

• Quick fixes: Reduce your printer speed, increase temperatures, or check your printer software for specific recommendations.
• Caverna PP adheres to PEI build plates, with glass build plates. Use an adhesive designed for PP.
• If adhesion is still a problem, increase the build plate temperature up to 125°C.
• Bubbles in filament typically are a sign of moisture, which may result in poor adhesion.
• Print parameters:  
• Nozzle temperature: 190–250°C
• Build plate temperature: 95–125°C
• Chamber temperature: 20–50°C

If a printed part is melting or sagging:

• 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. 

Caverna PP 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 Caverna PP Safety Data Sheet (SDS) here.

You can access the Caverna PP Technical Data Sheet (TDS) here.