Amorphous Silica Resin Composition for Transparent 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming transparent three-dimensional objects using inorganic materials result in opaque molded articles due to scattering at grain boundaries and vacancies, making it difficult to achieve transparent members with desired shapes.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising inorganic particles with an amorphous SiO2 main component and a surface treatment layer, combined with a photocurable resin, where the inorganic particles constitute 60% or more of the composition, and a photopolymerization initiator, allowing for the formation of transparent inorganic molded articles through stereolithography and subsequent firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If ceramic powder is used as inorganic fine particles and stereolithography is applied, then three-dimensional shaping is enabled, but the molded article becomes opaque due to scattering at grain boundaries and vacancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the inorganic material from crystalline to amorphous. By using amorphous inorganic particles instead of ceramic powder, the material eliminates grain boundaries and crystalline vacancies that cause light scattering, thereby achieving transparency while maintaining the ability to form three-dimensional shapes through stereolithography
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system consisting of amorphous inorganic particles dispersed in a photocurable resin. This composite material combines the shaping capability of the resin with the transparency and durability of amorphous inorganic material, resolving the contradiction between formability and optical properties
2Reliability
If inorganic material is used to replace polymer material, then durability and transparency are improved, but the ability to form various shapes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the amorphous inorganic particles into a photocurable resin before molding. This allows the material to be shaped using stereolithography (which is easy to control for various shapes) while the inorganic particles provide the desired durability and transparency properties, effectively preparing the material system in advance to resolve the contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the inorganic material from crystalline to amorphous, which fundamentally alters the material properties. The amorphous state eliminates grain boundaries and crystalline defects, enabling transparency and improved durability while maintaining ease of shaping through the photocurable resin matrix
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
Enables the easy formation of transparent inorganic molded articles with desired shapes by controlling viscosity and surface treatment, reducing scattering and enhancing transparency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the photocurable resin composition includes a photocurable resin precursor and a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
A resin composition for inorganic molded article production use, which is provided with inorganic particles each containing amorphous SiO2 and a photocurable resin composition, in which the photocurable resin composition contains a photocurable resin precursor and a photopolymerization initiator, the content of the inorganic particles is 60% by mass or more with respect to the total amount of the photocurable resin composition and the inorganic particles and is 60% by mass or more with respect to the entire amount of the resin composition for inorganic molded article production use, and the viscosity of the composition for inorganic molded article production use is 10000 mPa·s or less.