3D Printing Chemical Functionalization Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing systems face limitations in producing functional parts with desired mechanical strength and visual appearance due to the limited range of materials available, making it challenging for commercial production, especially in sectors like aviation and medicine.
Innovation Solution
The use of multi-fluid kits and three-dimensional printing kits that incorporate a chemical functionalization agent containing an amine-containing polymer, which can be selectively applied during the printing process to create chemically functionalized surfaces, allowing for the integration of amine groups for reaction with amine-reactive compounds, thereby enhancing the properties of the printed objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional three-dimensional printing materials are used, then the printing process is simple, but the mechanical strength and functional properties of the printed parts are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating chemical functionalization agents into the printing process during fabrication, rather than requiring post-processing modifications. The amine-containing polymer is integrated into the build material layers before printing, enabling chemical functionalization to occur in-situ during the printing process, which preliminarily prepares the surface for subsequent molecular attachment and improves mechanical strength without adding complex post-processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining traditional polymeric build materials with chemical functionalization agents containing amine groups. This creates a composite printing material that maintains the structural properties of the base polymer while adding chemical functionality through the amine-containing polymer, thereby improving mechanical strength and enabling post-processing modifications without significantly increasing process complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If chemical functionalization agents are integrated into the printing process, then the functional properties and post-processing capabilities are enhanced, but the material selection and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-fluid kit where a single chemical functionalization agent with amine groups can react with multiple different amine-reactive compounds. This universal functional group enables diverse post-processing modifications including coloring, molecular attachment, and functionalization, allowing one printing system to handle multiple application requirements without requiring separate specialized systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing amine-containing polymer as a mediating substance between the printed object and various amine-reactive compounds. The amine groups serve as intermediate functional groups that can react with different target molecules, enabling the transfer of desired properties (color, function, strength) from the chemical agents to the printed object without requiring direct modification of the base polymeric material
3Reliability
If amine-containing polymer is used for chemical functionalization, then the surface reactivity and molecular attachment capability are improved, but the cost of materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the chemical functionalization agent primarily at the surface regions of the printed object where molecular attachment is needed, rather than uniformly distributing it throughout the entire bulk material. This localized application ensures high molecular attachment reliability at the functional surfaces while minimizing the total quantity of expensive amine-containing polymer required, thereby reducing material costs
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
This approach enables the creation of three-dimensional printed objects with chemically functionalized surfaces, allowing for post-processing modifications such as coloring and attachment of other molecules, thereby improving the mechanical and visual properties of the printed parts without modifying the existing polymeric build materials.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic radiation absorber absorbs radiation energy and converts the radiation energy to heat
Implementation Method 2
The amine-containing polymer is a branched or unbranched polymer including a polymer backbone and multiple pendant side chains, wherein individual side chains include —NH2, —NH—, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and methods of making three-dimensional printed objects. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a fusing agent and a chemical functionalization agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The electromagnetic radiation absorber can absorb radiation energy and convert the radiation energy to heat. The chemical functionalization agent can include water and an amine-containing polymer. The amine-containing polymer can be a branched or unbranched polymer that includes a polymer backbone and multiple pendant side chains. The individual side chains can include —NH2, —NH—, or a combination thereof.