Photocurable Support Material for Inkjet 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photocurable support materials for inkjet 3D printers face challenges in achieving sufficient hardness and solubility, with existing compositions either lacking hardness or being difficult to remove after curing.
Innovation Solution
A photocurable composition with water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing ionic groups and counter ions, with a water content of no more than 10 mass %, along with a photopolymerization initiator, is used to enhance curability, hardness, and solubility of the cured product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water content in the photocurable composition is increased to improve solubility of the cured product, then solubility is improved, but hardness of the cured product decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the water content parameter to a specific range (5-20 mass %) to simultaneously achieve both solubility and hardness. This parameter optimization allows the cured product to maintain sufficient hardness while remaining soluble in water for easy removal from the model material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite monomer system combining water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers (containing ionic groups) with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. This composite approach allows the cured product to have both hardness (from the crosslinked network) and solubility (from the water-soluble monomer units remaining in the polymer structure).
2Ease of operation
If water content in the photocurable composition is increased to facilitate removal of support material, then ease of removal is improved, but curability and hardness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes water content to a specific range (5-20 mass %) that balances curability and ease of removal. This controlled water content ensures the cured support material is hard enough to provide structural support during printing but soft enough to dissolve easily in water afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The support material is designed as a disposable component that is easily removed after serving its purpose. By incorporating water-soluble monomers with controlled water content, the support material can be readily dissolved in water after the model is printed, eliminating the need for complex removal processes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional support material compositions are used to achieve water solubility, then solubility is improved, but hardness becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a composite monomer formulation combining water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers (such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or their salts) with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. This composite structure enables the cured product to simultaneously achieve water solubility through the ionic groups and sufficient hardness through the crosslinked polymer network.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls the water content parameter (5-20 mass %) in the composition to achieve the optimal balance between solubility and hardness. This parameter control ensures that enough water-soluble monomer units are present to provide solubility while maintaining sufficient crosslinking density for hardness.
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 provides excellent curability, sufficient hardness, and improved solubility in solvents, enabling effective production of optically shaped articles with enhanced supportability and ease of removal.
Implementation Method 1
liquid photocurable resins that come out of inkjet nozzles are cured and stacked to be photomolded
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention, a photocurable composition for a support material for an inkjet 3D printer comprises a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing an ionic group and a counter ion, and a water content is not more than 10 mass % in 100 mass % of the photocurable composition for a support material. It is preferably that the photocurable composition for a support material for an inkjet 3D printer further comprises a photopolymerization initiator.