Radiation-Curable Dental Compositions for Heat-Stable 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental materials lack radiation-curable compositions with good mechanical properties and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures, suitable for producing anatomical models and prosthetic parts, especially in additive manufacturing processes, which are essential for digital workflows in dentistry.
Innovation Solution
A polymerisable radiation-curable composition comprising monomers with specific glass-transition temperatures and alicyclic groups, along with a photo-initiator system, designed to maintain mechanical properties and dimensional stability at temperatures ranging from 45°C to 55°C, and resist thermal and mechanical impacts during dental model production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional dental materials are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but mechanical properties and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the dental material by incorporating specific monomers with defined glass-transition temperatures (first monomer ≥120°C, second monomer ≤100°C) and alicyclic groups. This parameter modification enables the material to maintain mechanical properties and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures while remaining manufacturable through radiation-curable processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining multiple monomers with different thermal characteristics (high-TG and low-TG monomers) and alicyclic structures. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both high-temperature stability and ease of manufacturing through radiation curing, resolving the contradiction between mechanical performance and manufacturability.
2Productivity
If radiation-curable compositions are developed for additive manufacturing, then productivity is improved, but mechanical properties and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of radiation-curable compositions by selecting monomers with specific glass-transition temperature ranges and incorporating alicyclic groups. These parameter changes enable the material to maintain mechanical strength and dimensional stability at elevated temperatures while remaining suitable for additive manufacturing processes, thus improving productivity without sacrificing mechanical properties.
3Stability of the object's composition
If monomers with high glass-transition temperature are used, then dimensional stability at elevated temperature is improved, but radiation-curable properties and polymerisation depth deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-component monomer system where different monomers serve different functions: the first monomer (TG≥120°C) provides dimensional stability at elevated temperatures, while the second monomer (TG≤100°C) ensures good radiation-curable properties and polymerisation depth. This localized functional assignment within the composition resolves the contradiction between thermal stability and curability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite monomer system combining high-TG and low-TG monomers with alicyclic groups. The high-TG monomer contributes to dimensional stability, while the low-TG monomer facilitates radiation curing. This composite approach allows both requirements to be met simultaneously without compromising either dimensional stability or radiation-curable properties.
4Strength
If alicyclic group-containing monomers are incorporated, then mechanical properties are improved, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alicyclic groups into the monomer structure as a specific chemical parameter modification. This structural change enhances mechanical properties while maintaining reasonable composition complexity by selecting alicyclic monomers that can be integrated into the existing two-monomer system without requiring additional complex components or processing steps.
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 a flexural strength of at least 40 MPa and an E-modulus of at least 800 MPa, ensuring dimensional stability and mechanical integrity in various dental working steps, including thermoforming and cleaning processes, while maintaining geometric precision and color stability.
Implementation Method 1
a polymerisable radiation-curable composition comprising (i) monomers... and (ii) at least one further component, comprising at least one photo-initiator for the UV and/or Vis spectral region or a photo-initiator system for the UV and/or Vis spectral region
Data Source
AI summary
A polymerisable radiation-curable composition comprising:(i) monomers, comprising at least (a) a first monomer having a TG (glass-transition point) of the homopolymer of said first monomer ≥120° C. and at least (b) a second monomer having a TG (glass-transition point) of the homopolymer of the second monomer ≤100° C., wherein at least one of the at least one first monomer or of the at least one second monomer has an alicyclic group, andcomprising (ii) at least one further component, comprising at least one photo-initiator for the UV and/or Vis spectral region or a photo-initiator system for the UV and/or Vis spectral region. Also disclosed is a blank in the form of a three-dimensional moulded body of a polymerised composition, in particular a radiation-cured composition, for producing 3D moulded bodies, dental prosthetic parts, orthopaedic appliances or dental pre-forms in a rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing, or rapid tooling method.