Cycloaliphatic Polyamide Powder for High-Temperature 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyamide powders used in 3D printing lack high glass transition temperatures and are prone to moisture absorption, leading to poor mechanical properties and thermal degradation in applications requiring high temperature resistance.
Innovation Solution
A polyamide powder based on the condensation of 4,4'-diaminodicyclohexylmethane and a long chain aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, with a specific molar ratio of trans/trans isomers, offering high glass transition temperatures and low melting points, suitable for 3D printing and high temperature resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional polyamides (PA12, PA11, PA6) are used for 3D printing, then low melting temperature and broad processing window are achieved, but glass transition temperature remains low causing poor high temperature resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the polyamide by incorporating cycloaliphatic diamine units with rigid cyclic structures. This structural modification directly increases the glass transition temperature from below 50°C to above 80°C while maintaining the melting temperature below 280°C, thereby achieving both low processing temperature and high temperature resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polyamide structure by combining cycloaliphatic diamine units with aliphatic dicarboxylic acid units in specific ratios (30-70 wt% cycloaliphatic content). This composite approach at the molecular level allows the rigid cyclic structures to elevate Tg while the aliphatic chains maintain processability and low melting point
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional polyamides are used for 3D printing, then ease of processing is achieved, but moisture absorption leads to thermal degradation and poor mechanical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by using cycloaliphatic diamines with saturated cyclic structures that have lower polarity and reduced hygroscopy compared to conventional polyamides. This chemical parameter change reduces moisture absorption tendency while maintaining the low melting temperature and processability required for 3D printing
3Reliability
If polyamides with high glass transition temperature are developed, then high temperature resistance is improved, but melting temperature may increase causing thermal degradation during printing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the molecular structure parameters by incorporating 30-70 wt% cycloaliphatic diamine units combined with aliphatic dicarboxylic acids with 8-22 carbon atoms. This specific compositional parameter range achieves the breakthrough of elevating Tg above 80°C while keeping Tm below 280°C, preventing thermal degradation during extended 3D printing processes
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 polyamide powder maintains high mechanical properties and resistance to thermal degradation, enabling effective 3D printing in applications requiring high temperature resistance, such as automotive parts, with reduced moisture absorption.
Implementation Method 1
depositing successive layers of a powdered material (M) and selectively sintering each layer prior to deposition of the subsequent layer, for example by means of an electromagnetic radiation of the powder
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) article, part or composite material, from a powdered material (M) comprising a polyamide (PA) presenting 4,4'-diaminodicyclohexylmethane moieties, as well as to such powdered material (M). The present invention also relates to the 3D article, part or composite material obtainable from such process, as well as the use of the article, part or composite materials in oil and gas applications, automotive applications, electric and electronic applications, aerospace, medical and consumer goods.