Pendent Pigment Polyamide Particles for 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyamide-based materials used in 3-D printing face challenges in achieving homogeneous pigment distribution, leading to uneven coloring of final objects.
Innovation Solution
The development of pigment-pendent polyamides (PP-polyamides) where metal oxide particles bound to pigment particles are functionalized with epoxy or silica particles, allowing for even dispersion of pigments within the polyamide backbone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If particulate pigments are mixed into polyamide, then the polyamide can be colored, but the pigment distribution becomes uneven causing uneven coloring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pigment particles with the polyamide polymer chains by forming covalent bonds between the pigment surface and polyamide functional groups. This integration transforms the pigment from a separate particulate phase into a chemically bonded component of the polymer structure, ensuring uniform distribution and preventing pigment migration while maintaining coloring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surface treatment agents as intermediaries to facilitate bonding between the pigment particles and polyamide. These intermediaries contain functional groups that react with both the pigment surface and the polyamide chains, creating a bridge that ensures homogeneous incorporation and stable attachment of pigments within the polymer matrix
2Adaptability or versatility
If pigments are incorporated into polyamide for 3-D printing, then colored objects can be produced, but pigment migration occurs over time affecting color consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-functionalizing the pigment particles before incorporating them into the polyamide. The pigment surfaces are treated with reactive groups that will subsequently bond to the polyamide chains, ensuring that pigments are permanently anchored in their initial positions and cannot migrate over time, thus maintaining color consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state of the pigment-polyamide interface from physical mixing to chemical bonding. By transforming the interaction mechanism from weak physical forces to strong covalent bonds, the system achieves both color variety through different pigments and long-term stability by preventing pigment migration and degradation
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 use of PP-polyamides ensures consistent and even coloration of 3-D printed objects over time, as the pigments are chemically bonded to the polyamide backbone, preventing migration.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the pendent epoxy with a polyamide to yield a pigment-pendent polyamide
Implementation Method 2
converting the pendent carboxylic acid to a pendent acid chloride; and reacting the pendent acid chloride with a polyamide to yield a PP-polyamide
Data Source
AI summary
A nonlimiting example method of forming polyamide polymer particles having pigments therein may comprising: mixing a mixture comprising a polyamide having a pigment pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (PP-polyamide), a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the PP-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the PP-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the PP-polyamide to form solidified particles comprising the PP-polyamide and, when present, the emulsion stabilizer associated with an outer surface of the solidified particles. Said solidified particles may be used in additive manufacturing to make a variety of objects like containers, toys, furniture parts and decorative home goods, plastic gears, automotive parts, medical items, and the like.