Rubber Composition for Additive Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current additive manufacturing methods struggle to produce three-dimensional structures with high mechanical strength and excellent elongation using rubber, as rubber exhibits low temperature dependence and low compression set, differing from resin or metal structures.

Innovation Solution

A rubber composition comprising liquid rubber, an amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer, and a monomer, with a total content of the oligomer and monomer being 30 parts by mass or more per 100 parts of liquid rubber, is used for additive manufacturing, enabling the production of rubber shaped articles with high mechanical strength and elongation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rubber composition is used for additive manufacturing, then rubber shaped articles with high mechanical strength and excellent elongation can be produced, but the composition requires specific ratios of amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and monomer to achieve desired properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the rubber composition: amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer at 5-50 parts by mass and monomer at 25-70 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of liquid rubber. By controlling these compositional parameters within defined ranges, the invention achieves both high mechanical strength (tensile strength ≥2.0 MPa) and excellent elongation (≥90%) while managing the complexity of the multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite rubber composition system combining liquid rubber with amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and monomer. This composite approach allows the material to achieve superior mechanical properties (tensile strength ≥2.0 MPa, elongation ≥90%) that cannot be obtained with single-component systems, while the synergistic interaction between components resolves the complexity-strength trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If rubber shaped articles are produced using additive manufacturing, then applications different from resin or metal structures can be enabled, but rubber exhibits low temperature dependence and low compression set compared to resins

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidtemperature dependence
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer (5-50 parts by mass) and monomer (25-70 parts by mass) per 100 parts by mass of liquid rubber. This compositional adjustment enables the rubber to achieve improved temperature dependence and compression set resistance while maintaining the versatility for diverse applications including seals, gaskets, and flexible components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention develops a composite rubber system combining liquid rubber with amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and monomer. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both the inherent versatility of rubber (low modulus, high elongation) and improved reliability in terms of temperature dependence and compression set, enabling broader application ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the total content of amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and monomer is 30 parts by mass or more per 100 parts by mass of liquid rubber, then rubber shaped articles achieve both high mechanical strength and excellent elongation, but the viscosity and processing parameters must be carefully controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidprocessing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges for ease of manufacturing: the rubber composition must have a viscosity of 1000 Pa·s or less at 35°C, and the total content of amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and monomer should be 30-120 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of liquid rubber. These parameter specifications enable both high mechanical strength (tensile strength ≥2.0 MPa, elongation ≥90%) and ease of processing through additive manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 rubber composition allows for the successful production of rubber shaped articles with high mechanical strength, excellent elongation, and specific properties such as Shore A hardness, tensile strength, and compression set, suitable for diverse applications.

Implementation Method 1

a photocurable resin is cured by laser beam irradiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3705263B1Rubber composition for shaping three-dimensional laminate
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3705263B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3705263B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3705263B1 patent drawing

AI summary

There is provided a rubber composition for additive manufacturing that allows a rubber shaped article to be favorably produced using an additive manufacturing apparatus, and allows the obtained rubber shaped article to achieve both high mechanical strength and excellent elongation. The rubber composition for additive manufacturing comprises a liquid rubber, an amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer, and a monomer, wherein a total content of the amine-based urethane acrylate oligomer and the monomer is 30 parts by mass or more, per 100 parts by mass of the liquid rubber.