Thermoplastic Resin Composition for 3D Printing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies face challenges in producing thermoplastic resin compositions for FDM systems that offer high dissolution speed in neutral water without using strong alkaline solutions, while maintaining sufficient strength and avoiding coloration, which affects the precision and appearance quality of three-dimensional objects.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic resin composition that includes a thermoplastic resin with dicarboxylic acid monomer units derived from a dicarboxylic acid component, containing a proportion of aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomer units with sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, and an organic salt compound represented by the formula (R1—SO3−)nXn+, where R1 is a hydrocarbon group and Xn+ represents specific ions, to control molecular weight and enhance solubility in neutral water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) is used as support material to enable removal by neutral water, then the support material can be removed without strong alkaline solutions, but the polymer absorbs water from air during printing causing foaming and loss of dimensional precision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the support material by introducing fluorinated groups and adjusting the copolymer composition ratio. The fluorinated support material has reduced water affinity compared to poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) while maintaining solubility in neutral water, and the copolymer composition is controlled to balance moisture resistance and dissolution properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a copolymer composition combining poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) units with other polymer units. This composite structure allows the material to maintain the solubility advantage of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) while reducing its excessive water affinity through the incorporation of additional polymer components
2Productivity
If aqueous strong alkaline solution is used to remove support material, then the support material can be effectively removed, but the three-dimensional object is eroded and the process is dangerous and environmentally harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a support material designed for single-use removal by neutral water. The fluorinated support material is engineered to be easily dissolved in neutral water after serving its support function, eliminating the need for harsh alkaline solutions and enabling safe, environmentally friendly removal without object erosion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of both the support material and removal agent. By fluorinating the support material and controlling copolymer composition, the material achieves solubility in neutral water (pH 6-8), replacing the traditional strong alkaline removal process and eliminating associated hazards
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 method enables easy control of weight average molecular weight, ensures high dissolution speed in neutral water, maintains sufficient strength, and prevents coloration, resulting in excellent appearance quality and improved removability of support materials from three-dimensional objects.
Implementation Method 1
mixing an organic salt compound represented by a following general formula (I): (R1—SO3−)nXn+ wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group that may have a substituent and has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, n represents a number of 1 or 2
Implementation Method 2
a thermoplastic resin that has dicarboxylic acid monomer units derived from a dicarboxylic acid component and that has a proportion of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomer unit derived from a sulfonic acid group and/or sulfonate group-containing aromatic dicarboxylic acid component
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic resin composition enabling easy control of the weight average molecular weight of a thermoplastic resin used in a soluble three-dimensional modeling support material, the support material having sufficient strength even when used in the manufacture of a three-dimensional object by an FDM system 3D printer, being less colored with excellent appearance quality, and having a high dissolution speed in neutral water and quickly removable from a precursor of the three-dimensional object without using a strong alkaline aqueous solution; and the thermoplastic resin having dicarboxylic acid monomer units derived from a dicarboxylic acid component and having a proportion of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomer unit derived from a sulfonic acid group and/or sulfonate group-containing aromatic dicarboxylic acid component in the dicarboxylic acid monomer units of 10 mol % or more; the method including mixing an organic salt compound represented by formula (I):(R1—SO3−)nXn+ (I).