Vapor Smoothing 3D Prints
Transform 3D printed surfaces to rival injection molding quality. Chemical vapor finishing for enhanced cosmetics and mechanical properties.
Free shipping on all US orders. Low-cost finishing for production parts.
What is Chemical Vapor Smoothing?
Powder bed fusion processes like SLS and HP MJF produce parts with a characteristic matte, textured surface finish. While functional, these surfaces can limit the use of 3D printed parts in consumer products, medical devices, and applications requiring smooth aesthetics.
Chemical vapor smoothing solves this challenge by exposing parts to a vaporized finishing agent in a sealed chamber. The vapor creates a controlled chemical melt on the surface, redistributing material to fill peaks and valleys without removing any material from the part.
The result is a sealed, smooth surface with enhanced shine that rivals injection molded parts—while also improving mechanical properties like tensile strength and elongation.
How Vapor Smoothing Works
Chamber Loading
Parts are racked in a sealed processing chamber to maximize surface exposure to the vapor.
Vapor Exposure
Finishing agent vapor clings to part surfaces, creating a controlled chemical melt that smooths peaks and valleys.
Evacuation
The chamber is heated to evacuate the finishing agent. No residue remains on parts.
How Much Does Vapor Smoothing Cost?
You can get instant pricing and lead times on vapor smoothing through the Artemis 3D Instant Quoting Engine based on the process, material, quantity, and part geometry for popular HP MJF and SLS materials.
Because the process is batch-based, costs are relatively low per part and decrease with increased order volumes. Artemis 3D typically adds between 1-5 business days to lead times for vapor smoothing.
Pricing Factors
Compatible Materials
Vapor smoothing works with most powder bed fusion materials.
| Material | Process | Quoting |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon 12 | SLS, HP MJF | Instant Quote |
| Nylon 12 Glass-Filled | SLS, HP MJF | Instant Quote |
| Nylon 11 | HP MJF | Instant Quote |
| TPU 88A | HP MJF | Instant Quote |
| Polypropylene (PP) | HP MJF | Manual Review |
| Nylon 11 EX | SLS | Manual Review |
| Nylon 12 Carbon-Filled | SLS | Manual Review |
| Nylon 12 Aluminum-Filled | SLS | Manual Review |
| Nylon 12 Mineral-Filled (HST) | SLS | Manual Review |
Select "Vapor Smoothing" under finishes when quoting. Specialty materials require manual review.
Surface Finish Transformation
From textured to smooth—injection mold-quality results
Benefits of Vapor Smoothing
More than just aesthetics—improved performance and safety.
Injection Mold-Like Finish
Surface roughness improves from 250+ µin Ra to below 125 µin Ra, rivaling injection molded parts.
Sealed Surface
Creates a uniform, sealed surface that significantly reduces moisture absorption and porosity.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties
Improves tensile strength, elongation, and flexural performance compared to standard finishes.
Biocompatibility
Passes food contact, skin irritation, and cytotoxicity tests for medical and consumer applications.
Reduced Bacterial Growth
Vapor-smoothed surfaces show 99%+ reduction in bacterial attachment compared to standard 3D prints.
No Material Removal
Unlike sanding or tumbling, vapor smoothing redistributes material rather than removing it.
Health & Safety Certifications
Vapor-smoothed parts pass rigorous biocompatibility and safety testing.
| Test | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Food Contact | PASS | Does not affect consumer health or food quality |
| Skin Irritation | PASS | No skin-irritating effect observed |
| Cytotoxicity | PASS | No cytotoxic effect detected |
| MRSA Bacteria | PASS | 99.88% reduction in bacterial growth |
| E. coli Bacteria | PASS | 99.78% reduction in bacterial growth |
Design Tips for Vapor Smoothing
Design Considerations
- •Add radii to sharp internal corners to prevent rounded voids
- •Maintain wall thickness above 1.0mm (0.040") to avoid distortion
- •Keep wall thicknesses uniform throughout the part
- •Be aware that build orientation lines may still be visible, but smoothed
- •Racking marks may appear depending on how parts are held during processing
- •Flexible materials like TPU may show more surface imperfections than rigid materials
Applications for Vapor Smoothing
Concept Models
Enhanced cosmetics, better coloration, and sealed surfaces create professional presentation-ready prototypes.
Rapid Prototyping
Minimal additional lead time allows for highly functional parts with improved aesthetics in record times.
Production Parts
Batch finishing process makes it economical to produce large quantities of customized end-use parts.
Industries Using Vapor Smoothed Parts
Vapor smoothing enables 3D printed parts for demanding applications across industries.
Get Started on Your Vapor Smoothing Quote
Upload your files and select vapor smoothing under finishes for instant pricing.
Get Your Instant QuoteWhy Choose Artemis 3D for 3D Printing Services?
Endless Options
Choose from millions of combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, and certifications for your order.
Easy to Use
Get parts delivered to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, or logistics.
Quality Assurance
ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only top-quality suppliers make it through our qualification process.
Start Your Vapor Smoothing Project
Upload your CAD files and get instant pricing for vapor-smoothed SLS and MJF parts with injection mold-quality finishes.