Pendant Optical Absorber Polyamides for 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3-D printing, achieving homogeneous incorporation of pigments in polyamide materials is challenging, leading to uneven coloring of final objects due to the migration or leaching of optical absorbers, which affects the color consistency and durability of the printed parts.
Innovation Solution
The development of polyamides with optical absorbers pendant from the backbone (OAMB-polyamides) is achieved through esterification and N-alkylation processes, ensuring the optical absorbers are securely attached and cannot migrate, combined with melt emulsification methods to produce spherical particles for uniform dispersion in carrier fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If particulate pigments are used to color polyamides, then the polyamide can be colored, but the pigments are difficult to homogeneously mix and cause uneven coloring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical absorber (pigment) with the polyamide polymer through chemical bonding to form a single integrated material. The optical absorber is incorporated into the polyamide backbone or pendant groups, eliminating the need for separate pigment particles and ensuring uniform distribution at the molecular level throughout the polyamide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material where the optical absorber is chemically integrated with the polyamide chain. This results in a new composite structure where the coloring function is permanently embedded in the polymer matrix, preventing migration and ensuring homogeneous coloring throughout the material.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical absorbers are incorporated into polyamides, then the polyamide can be colored, but the optical absorbers migrate or leach out over time
Solution Approach 1:
The optical absorber is chemically merged with the polyamide through covalent bonding, either as part of the backbone structure or as pendant groups. This chemical integration prevents the optical absorber from migrating or leaching out, as it becomes an integral part of the polymer chain itself rather than a separate additive.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical absorber is incorporated into the polyamide structure during the polymer synthesis process itself, before the final product is formed. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the coloring function is permanently embedded in the polymer structure from the outset, preventing subsequent migration or degradation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pigment mixing methods are used, then the polyamide can be colored, but the dispersion is uneven in melted droplets or powder particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical absorber is merged with the polyamide at the molecular level through chemical bonding, eliminating the need for physical mixing of separate pigment particles. This results in uniform dispersion throughout the melted droplets or powder particulates, as the coloring function is distributed evenly at the molecular level during polymer synthesis.
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 OAMB-polyamides maintain even color over time and prevent optical absorber migration, ensuring consistent color and durability of 3-D printed objects, while also allowing for efficient production of various thermoplastic polymer particles and objects with improved color stability.
Implementation Method 1
particles may comprise a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from the backbone of the polyamide
Implementation Method 2
esterifying a hydroxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic acid to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing highly spherical polymer particles comprising a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: mixing a mixture comprising the OAMB-polyamide, a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the OAMB-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the OAMB-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide to form particles comprising the OAMB-polyamide and the emulsion stabilizer, when present, associated with an outer surface of the particles.