Crosslinkable Polysiloxane for Fast-Curing Elastic 3D Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing technologies face challenges in rapidly producing polysiloxane-based articles with high precision and desirable physical properties, particularly in terms of elasticity and curing rates, which are essential for custom-designed medical devices.

Innovation Solution

A liquid polysiloxane comprising siloxane-thiourea segments and crosslinkable functional groups, such as ethylenically unsaturated groups, silyl hydride groups, or alkylenethiol groups, is developed to facilitate rapid crosslinking and produce complex articles with fine detail and self-healing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional polysiloxane materials are used in 3D printing, then the manufacturing process can be implemented, but the curing rate is insufficient and physical properties are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring rateVSAvoidphysical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of polysiloxane by introducing siloxane-thiourea segments and crosslinkable functional groups (ethylenically unsaturated groups, silyl hydride groups, or alkylenethiol groups). This structural parameter change enables rapid crosslinking during 3D printing while maintaining excellent elasticity and mechanical properties in the cured article.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite polysiloxane structure combining siloxane-thiourea segments with crosslinkable functional groups. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both rapid crosslinking capability (from the functional groups) and excellent elasticity (from the siloxane-thiourea segments), resolving the contradiction between curing rate and physical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If moulding process is used for polysiloxane articles, then production can be achieved, but customised manufacturing capability is lost due to retooling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomised manufacturing capabilityVSAvoidretooling time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical moulding process with a chemical crosslinking process that occurs during 3D printing. The crosslinkable functional groups react to form a crosslinked network structure within the printed article, eliminating the need for physical moulds and enabling rapid customisation without retooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If 3D printing is used for polysiloxane articles, then customised manufacturing is enabled, but the physical properties particularly elasticity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomised manufacturing capabilityVSAvoidelasticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces siloxane-thiourea segments into the polysiloxane structure, which provide excellent elasticity through hydrogen bonding and segmental mobility. This compositional parameter change allows the 3D printed article to achieve both customisation capability and superior elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines siloxane-thiourea segments (providing elasticity) with crosslinkable functional groups (enabling 3D printing) in a single polymer structure. This composite design ensures that the final article has both the desired elastic properties and the manufacturing advantages of 3D printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 polysiloxane enables rapid crosslinking during 3D printing, producing articles with excellent physical properties, including elasticity and self-healing capabilities, suitable for custom-designed medical devices.

Implementation Method 1

rapid crosslinking can be achieved during 3D printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

crosslinkable functional group(s) selected from one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEthylenically unsaturated groups crosslinking: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

silyl hydride groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSilyl hydride crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

alkylenethiol groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkylenethiol crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12528940B2Crosslinkable polysiloxane

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 COMMONWEALTH SCI & IND RES ORG

AI summary

The present invention provides a liquid polysiloxane comprising a siloxane-thiourea segment and a crosslinkable functional group(s) selected from one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups, silyl hydride groups, alkylenethiol groups and combinations thereof.