UV filament useful lifetime color change cycle?

[rare swan]

<@&1122587817768398938> I'm interested in using the Polymaker UV change filament for a project (https://us.polymaker.com/products/polylite-pla-uv-changing) but past experience with color change filaments has shown me that after a certain number of color changes/UV exposure the filament color gets locked into the active/inactive color.

How many color change cycles can Polymaker UV color change filament do before it stops changing color? If the limitation is UV exposure, how long of UV exposure will wear it out? Thanks.

[sharp ore]

I did some not so scientific test, I don't know if it has a limit of UV change cycles but constant UV exposure will reduce the color change capability and stay more and more on the inactive state (natural color)

I tryed contacting Polymaker but I havent had any update on if they can improve the color change life time or not, so I will disclose the numbers

After 24 hour of UV exposure you will have a considerable reduction on color change capability on the outer layers, after 48 hours outer layers and infill will totally loose color change capabilities

The ticker your model is, the slower the internal layers change color and also the longer the internal layers lifetime

Single layer after around 18 hours of UV exposure seems to have lost the color change capability

[rare swan]

Ah, that sounds similar to my experience. Thanks for the helpful data and actual hours!

Looks like UV filament in general isn't ready for constant usage.

[sharp ore]

No problem, times are just approximates, and can heavily change, I used direct sun exposure at 6 hour intervals per day but here we have a pretty intense sun, so take it like worst case scenario

[rare swan]

Do you have any similar numbers for glow in the dark filament?

I haven't used it enough to tell if it wears out.

[sharp ore]

I also did a test printing a backpack pendant and leaving it on a backpack for weeks on intermittent sun exposure, and numbers kind of match with the 6 hours per day, so results can vary a little but don't expect a lot much more than that lifetime

[sharp ore]

No, sorry, I haven't tested any glow in the dark yet, but it sure have a lot longer lifetime, green is the one that last the more glowing

By how it works glow in the dark filaments have a pretty long lifetime just remember to use a hardened nozzle to print them

[rare swan]

I see, I've had a glow in the dark part sit next to a window for a few months with no noticeable degradation.

[rare swan]

Have you had any experience with nickel coated copper vs hardened steel durability?

I'm currently using a pair of copper that's lasted much longer than brass.

[sharp ore]

Nice