Food Stuffs Contact and Dishwashing Safe Enquiry

#1

Dear Sir/Madam,

Technical Advice, please help.

I have an order to make some small measuring spoons for feeding aquatic life.

Spoons are: 120 x 7 x 5mm , i.e. small and fine, infrequent use.

Questions:

  1. Steel polished - is this suitable for washing in say a dish washer?

  2. Gold Plated - is this suitable for washing.

4, Are there any nasties in the metals / processes (Pb, Cd, Mg,…) that is terrible for aquatic life?

  1. Big question: is HIP processing available, make density to nearly 100%, and seal surfaces?

  2. Gold plating to 0.5 - 0.6microns possible?

  3. Edges: are rads of say 0.2mm ok (I’m trying to avoid sharp corners)?

Kind regards,

Boren

#2

Dear Boren,

Thank you for your questions.

Steel is neither waterproof nor corrosion-resistant, so it may not be suitable for washing.

Gold plating is applied by using an electroplating process that deposits a layer of 0.1 microns on the outside of your model. Plating will wear off when your model is exposed to friction.

The chemical composition of the final 3D-printed product will be approximately 60% steel and 40% bronze (Cu 90%/Sn 10%).

HIP processing is not available. Available finishing options can be found here: https://i.materialise.com/en/3d-printing-materials/steel/colors-finishes

Rounded edges are possible. Sharp edges will be rounded-off if your model is polished.

Unfortunately, we do not offer any materials that are food safe.