Hydraulic Composition for 3D Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cement-based materials used in 3D printing face challenges in meeting both extrudability through a nozzle and self-support after lamination, with existing compositions being contradictory in their properties, and failing to achieve optimal water retention.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic composition comprising water-soluble hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, cement, water, and short fibers, with specific viscosity and anionization degree ranges, which enhances nozzle extrudability, self-support, and water retention, suitable for 3D printing by the material extrusion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a cement based material is used in 3D printing, then self-support after lamination is achieved, but extrudability through the nozzle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-support after laminationVSAvoidextrudability through the nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the viscosity of the hydraulic composition within the range of 100 to 10,000 mPa·s at 20°C. This viscosity parameter optimization enables the material to maintain self-support after lamination while achieving adequate extrudability through the nozzle, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system comprising cement, water-soluble polymer, and fine aggregate. This composite formulation allows the material to exhibit both self-support characteristics from the cement matrix and extrudability from the controlled viscosity provided by the polymer and aggregate combination, thereby resolving the contradiction between self-support and extrudability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the viscosity of the hydraulic composition is increased to improve self-support, then self-support after lamination is improved, but extrudability through the nozzle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-support after laminationVSAvoidextrudability through the nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter to a specific range of 100 to 10,000 mPa·s at 20°C, which balances self-support capability and extrudability. This precise parameter control ensures that the material is viscous enough to maintain layer stability after lamination while remaining fluid enough to flow through the nozzle during extrusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a hydraulic composition with high thixotropy is used to improve self-support, then self-support after lamination is improved, but discharge throttling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-support after laminationVSAvoiddischarge throttling
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the viscosity parameter within the range of 100 to 10,000 mPa·s at 20°C, which prevents excessive thixotropy. This viscosity control ensures that the material maintains sufficient self-support after lamination while avoiding excessive discharge throttling during the extrusion process, thereby resolving the contradiction between self-support and discharge throttling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves satisfactory extrudability through the nozzle, self-support after lamination, and water retention, making it suitable for additive manufacturing, especially in the material extrusion process of 3D printing, with minimal deformation of lower layer sections and effective layer formation.

Implementation Method 1

A 2 wt % aqueous solution of the water-soluble hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose (A) has a viscosity of 2,000 to 6,000 mPa·s at 20° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity:

Implementation Method 2

The polyacrylamide (B) has an anionization degree of 6 to 40 mol %, and a 0.5 wt % aqueous solution of the polyacrylamide (B) in a 4 wt % aqueous solution of sodium chloride has a viscosity of 10 to 300 mPa·s at 25° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity:

Implementation Method 3

The hydraulic composition comprises at least (A) a water-soluble hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, (B) a polyacrylamide, (C) cement, (D) water, and (E) short fibers... having advantages including nozzle extrudability, minimal deformation of a lower layer section of a laminate, and water retention

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater retention:

Data Source

PatentUS20240308915A1Hydraulic composition for 3D printing and method of manufacturing 3D object
Publication Date: 2024.09.19 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A hydraulic composition comprising (A) a water-soluble hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, (B) a polyacrylamide, (C) cement, (D) water, and (E) short fibers is suitable for 3D printing of the material extrusion process. The composition has satisfactory nozzle extrudability, self-support after lamination, and water retention. A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object using the hydraulic composition is also provided.