Darkness does not have to be a synonym of boring. Discover the secret of the photoluminescence of the filaments and learn how to achieve a satisfying light effect of your projects. Read more and discover the creative possibilities offered by the Rosa3D range of glow-in-the-dark filaments.
The Glow in the Dark filaments available in the Rosa3D range are a unique type of material. By using additives with photoluminescent properties, they allow you to create amazing lighting effects that can be seen after nightfall. All you need to do is illuminate the print with daylight or artificial lighting and you can enjoy 3D prints that glow in the dark.
Rosa3D offers a large selection of Glow in the dark materials – allowing you to use them in many projects. Among them you will find: PLA Starter Glow in the Dark Green and PLA Starter Glow in the Dark Blue. Need a more solid material? PET-G Standard Glow in the Dark Green is the perfect solution for you.
Do you want flexible printing properties? In the Rosa3D range you will find ROSA-Flex 88A Glow in the Dark Green and ROSA-Flex 96 A Glow in the Dark Green.
Would you like to try out our Glow in the Dark filaments? Check out >> map of our distributors! <<
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is the light effect due to?
There is a misconception among some 3D printer users that glow-in-the-dark filaments are radioactive. Nothing could be further from the truth. The light effect is not due to radioluminescence (radiation from the nucleus of atoms). They owe their ability to glow in the dark to photoluminescence, the phenomenon of glowing with their own light after being exposed to light.
This means that prints made with Glow in the Dark filament absorb light, which they then emit over a period of time. Our filaments can glow for up to 12 hours, but the best effects are visible during the first 2-3 hours.
The glowing additives are non-toxic and can be exposed as many times as required. The lifetime of the glow-in-the-dark pigment can last up to 15 years.
For the production of our luminescent filaments, we use a pigment based on strontium aluminate. It is not radioactive, flammable or toxic. As a result, it can also be successfully used in hobbyist 3D printing.
It is a new-generation photoluminescent additive that surpasses sulphide-based pigments in terms of: luminescence duration, stability, safety and intensity of the light effect.
Print made with ROSA-Flex 96A Glow in the Dark
What colour can 3D prints glow?
Rosa3D offers green and blue glowing filaments. It should be noted that green light-emitting filaments are more intense and glow for longer periods of time. However, this does not detract from the blue Glow in the Dark filament, which impresses with its unusual light. We used an additive that guarantees the emission of blue light in PLA Glow in the Dark Blue.
How to adjust the intensity of the light effect?
The intensity and colour of the emitted light depend primarily on the additive used in the production of the filament. At Rosa3D, we rely on the highest quality materials and the amount of added photoluminescent pigment is high enough to make the filaments from Rosa3D glow really intensely.
3D models printed with Rosa 3D filament from the Glow in the Dark series can glow at different intensities. What does this depend on?
The first parameter is the thickness of the 3D printed walls and the degree of infill. More material used and thicker walls, means more intense light emission. This phenomenon can be used for lithophanes – printed photos or graphics. Places where the walls are thicker glow more strongly. In places where a lower amount of filament has been used, the light emission effect will be less intense. [Moonlight example]
Another way of controlling the light effect is the length and intensity of exposure of the filament. If the printout is exposed to intense light (daylight or artificial light – from a light bulb) for a longer period of time, the stronger and longer the glow-in-the-dark effect will be. Shorter exposure times or less intense light will lead to a reduction in the photoluminescence.
Prints made with PLA Glow in the Dark Green oraz PLA Glow in the Dark Blue
Can all materials glow in the dark?
The ideal materials for the production of glow-in-the-dark filaments are the ones with a transparent base. PLA, PET-G and Flex (TPU) are ideal for this purpose. As the base material is more transparent, the more intense the light emission effect. It is worth mentioning that not all types of PLA are transparent enough to produce a satisfactory lighting effect. PLA with additives that improve impact strength or temperature stability have usually a milky colour – they are not very translucent. For the production of PLA Glow in the Dark from ROSA3D, we selected a special PLA type that is as transparent as possible, so we achieved a really excellent effect.
Filaments such as ASA, for example, are characterised by a milky colour of the base material, so the light effect would be reduced.
Glow in the Dark filaments can be purchased >> from our distributors <<
Print made with ROSA-Flex 96A Glow in the Dark filament
How to print?
The photoluminescent additive used in the production of the Glow in the Dark series is highly abrasive. (This is due to its construction and properties). It can have a destructive impact on the brass print nozzle. We recommend using a more durable and abrasion-resistant steel nozzle.
The photoluminescent pigment also affects the characteristics of the filament – it is slightly harder and the filament is more fragile. This is not a manufacturing defect, but only characteristics due to the additive used. We recommend a higher extrusion temperature (by about ?? degrees) and a lower printing speed
Examples of the use or application of the Glow in the Dark filaments from the Rosa3D range
Filaments from Rosa3D with glow in the dark properties can find many interesting applications.
Usually, they are used in hobby printing for preparing various types of statues that delightfully glow in the dark.
They can also be used to prepare all sorts of decorations for children’s rooms. Many children have problems with getting used to the dark. The decorations in friendly shapes for the ceiling with glow in the dark effect can help to overcome this fear.
We found another interesting application with passionate divers. A glow-in-the-dark filament was used as part of a diver’s equipment. Pre-exposed, it will provide good visibility in dark depths.
Similarly, drone enthusiasts appreciate glow-in-the-dark elements that allow an object to be easily seen after dark. Flying objects often print covers for sensitive parts or corners of the drone from flexible TPU – ROSA Flex Glow in the Dark Green.
A similar application of luminescent properties is used by maintenance and health and safety services, which protect protruding parts of machinery and equipment with covers printed from Glow in the Dark materials. In this way, in the event of a blackout, hooking or bumping into equipment during an evacuation can be avoided.
In summary, Glow in the Dark filaments from Rosa3D offer great opportunities for any maker, regardless of 3D printing experience. It doesn’t matter if you are a hobbyist, want to bring your designs to life at night or need a more practical solution.
We encourage you to explore the possibilities offered by Glow in the Dark filaments. Become one of those who break the boundaries of 3D printing and innovate your projects. If you have any questions about our products, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Go to >> the map of our distributors << , choose the distributor near you and start creating today!
