Amine-Modified Polyurethane Post-Curing for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing processes face challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness, individualization, and resource efficiency, particularly in producing complex geometries and durable objects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polyamine component into the building material and heating it to a temperature of ≥ 50 °C to facilitate chemical reactions that increase the average molecular weight of polyurethane polymers, enhance crosslinking density, and achieve post-hardening through urethanization and transesterification reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional additive manufacturing processes are used to produce objects with complex geometries, then manufacturing capability is achieved, but mechanical durability and crosslinking density are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the build material to temperatures of ≥50°C (preferably ≥70°C to ≤170°C) to activate chemical reactions that increase crosslinking density and molecular weight. This thermal parameter change transforms the material properties post-manufacturing, thereby improving mechanical durability without altering the manufacturing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating polyamine components into polyurethane polymer-based build materials. The polyamine component reacts with urethane groups to form urea groups, creating a composite structure with enhanced crosslinking density and mechanical properties while maintaining compatibility with existing additive manufacturing processes
2Ease of manufacture
If polyurethane polymer build material is used in additive manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but crosslinking density and mechanical strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the polyamine component into the build material before manufacturing. The polyamine is pre-positioned within the polyurethane polymer structure, ready to react and form urea groups upon heating. This preliminary preparation enables subsequent crosslinking enhancement without complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by applying thermal energy (heating to ≥50°C) to activate the reaction between polyamine components and urethane groups. This temperature parameter change triggers the chemical transformation that increases crosslinking density while maintaining ease of manufacture through a simple post-processing heating step
3Strength
If heating is applied to increase molecular weight and crosslinking density, then mechanical durability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the heating parameter range to ≥50°C (preferably ≥70°C to ≤170°C), which is sufficient to activate the polyamine-urethane reaction without excessive energy input. This controlled parameter change achieves the desired crosslinking density and mechanical durability improvement while minimizing energy consumption compared to higher temperature treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuous heating to ensure complete reaction and maximum crosslinking density throughout the build material. By maintaining continuous thermal energy input at the optimized temperature range, the process achieves thorough polymer transformation and uniform mechanical property enhancement without requiring repeated heating cycles, thereby reducing total energy consumption
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 method enables the production of objects with improved mechanical durability and increased crosslinking density, resulting in more cost-effective and resource-efficient additive manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
during and/or after the manufacture of the article the build-up material is heated to a temperature of ≥ 50 °C
Implementation Method 2
the urethane groups formed by addition can, at least partially, reversibly open, making free NCO groups available for reaction
Implementation Method 3
reaction with the amino groups of the polyamine component to form urea groups
Implementation Method 4
the opening of the ester bonds and reaction with polyamines to form amides
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing an object, comprising the step of producing the object from a construction material by means of an additive manufacturing process, wherein the construction material comprising a polyurethane and/or polyester polyol. The construction material further comprises a polyamine component and during and/or after the production of the object, the construction material is heated to a temperature of ≥ 50 °C. The invention also relates to an object obtained according to the claimed method.