3D Printing Binder Composition for Jettability and Green Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing methods using chemical binders or adhesives face challenges in achieving high green body strength while maintaining jettability, as most surfactants used to enhance jettability negatively impact mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of nonionic surfactants with two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic tail groups per molecule, along with dihydrazide compounds, to form a binder agent that maintains jettability without compromising green body strength, combined with latex particles to create a polymeric matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used to enhance jettability, then the binder agent can be easily deposited, but the green body strength is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular parameters of the surfactant by selecting a nonionic surfactant with two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic tail groups per molecule. This specific molecular configuration allows the surfactant to provide adequate jettability while having minimal negative impact on green body strength, resolving the contradiction between ease of deposition and mechanical strength
Solution Approach 2:
The binder agent is formulated as a composite system containing multiple components: nonionic surfactant, dihydrazide compound, and latex particles. This composite approach allows each component to contribute different functions - the surfactant provides jettability, the dihydrazide compound enhances binding, and the latex particles form a polymeric matrix - thereby achieving both good jettability and high green body strength simultaneously
2Strength
If binder agent composition is optimized for strength, then green body strength is improved, but jettability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nonionic surfactant with dual hydrophilic heads and dual hydrophobic tails serves multiple functions: it provides adequate jettability for inkjet deposition and simultaneously has minimal detrimental effect on green body strength. This multi-functional surfactant molecule helps resolve the contradiction by performing both roles effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The dihydrazide compound acts as an intermediary that enhances the binding between metal particles and the binder agent. By adding this compound to the binder formulation, the system achieves improved green body strength without sacrificing the jettability provided by the nonionic surfactant, thus mediating between the two competing requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The binder agent achieves excellent jettability and stability, resulting in three-dimensional green bodies with enhanced strength that can withstand handling and processing before sintering, reducing the risk of breakage during preparation for sintering.
Implementation Method 1
a nonionic surfactant that includes two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic tail groups per molecule
Implementation Method 2
a dihydrazide compound
Implementation Method 3
latex particles... to create a polymeric matrix
Implementation Method 4
The green body can subsequently be sintered to form a durable metal three-dimensional printed article
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes binder agents for printing three-dimensional green body objects, which can include water, an organic co-solvent, a nonionic surfactant, a dihydrazide compound, and latex particles. The nonionic surfactant can include two hydrophilic head groups and two hydrophobic tail groups per molecule.