3D Printing Inks with Low Polymerization Shrinkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing inks based on (meth)acrylates suffer from volumetric polymerization shrinkage, which limits printing resolution and fidelity, and have lower impact and tear strength than desired for various applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of inks comprising 20-60 wt.% oligomeric curable material, 10-50 wt.% cyclocarbonate (meth)acrylate monomer, and 0.1-5 wt.% photoinitiator, with optional additional curable and non-curable components, which reduce volumetric shrinkage and enhance strength while maintaining additive manufacturing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If (meth)acrylate-based inks are used for 3D printing, then the ink can be cured to form solid articles, but volumetric polymerization shrinkage occurs reducing printing resolution and fidelity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material formulation by combining (meth)acrylate monomers with oligomers and polymers in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the ink to maintain curing capability while reducing overall polymerization shrinkage, thereby improving printing resolution and fidelity without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the ink by controlling the ratios of monomers, oligomers, and polymers. By adjusting these parameters, the polymerization shrinkage is reduced while maintaining the curing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If (meth)acrylate-based inks are used for 3D printing, then the ink can be cured to form solid articles, but the articles have lower impact strength and tear strength than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates composite materials containing (meth)acrylate monomers combined with oligomers and polymers. This composite structure improves impact strength and tear strength of the cured articles while maintaining the curing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts compositional parameters by controlling the ratios of different components (monomers, oligomers, polymers) to optimize both the curing capability and the mechanical strength properties of the final article.
3Reliability
If (meth)acrylate-based inks are used for 3D printing, then the ink can be cured to form solid articles, but the articles have lower tear strength than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material formulation combining (meth)acrylate monomers with oligomers and polymers in controlled ratios. This composite approach enhances tear strength of the cured articles while preserving the curing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and tear strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies compositional parameters by adjusting the ratios of monomers, oligomers, and polymers to simultaneously achieve desired curing capability and improved tear strength properties.
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 proposed inks achieve reduced volumetric polymerization shrinkage, improved accuracy and strength, and maintain high printing speed, suitable for various 3D printing systems like SLA, DLP, and MJP.
Implementation Method 1
the ink can be cured following dispensing and/or deposition of the ink onto the substrate. Curing can be achieved using a laser or other source of electromagnetic radiation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, inks for use with a three-dimensional (3D) printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink described herein comprises 20-60 wt. % oligomeric curable material; 10-50 wt. % cyclocarbonate (meth)acrylate monomer; and 0.1-5 wt. % photoinitiator, based on the total weight of the ink. Additionally, in some cases, the ink further comprises one or more additional curable materials differing from the oligomeric curable material and the cyclocarbonate (meth)acrylate monomer. An ink described herein, in some embodiments, also comprises one or more additional component that are non-curable.