UV Curable Silicone Composition for Selective 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional silicone compositions, such as liquid silicone rubber and high consistency rubber, have high viscosity and require thermal curing, making them unsuitable for applications like 3D printing where selective curing and speed are desired.
Innovation Solution
A radiation curable system comprising a container with a first portion containing an ultraviolet curable silicone composition including an unsaturated alkenyl-containing siloxane component, a hydride-containing siloxane component, and a photoactive catalyst, and a second portion with a cure inhibitor, where the silicone composition is irradiated with a radiation source to form a radiation curable article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional silicone compositions are used, then the material has high viscosity and requires thermal curing, but this makes it unsuitable for selective curing and reduces manufacturing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from thermal to radiation-based by incorporating photoinitiators and unsaturated functional groups into the silicone composition. This parameter change enables selective curing through spatially controlled radiation exposure, dramatically increasing manufacturing speed for complex geometries while simplifying the curing process control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal curing mechanism with a radiation-based curing system. Instead of using heat to initiate crosslinking, the invention uses UV or other radiation sources that activate photoinitiators to trigger rapid polymerization, enabling selective area curing and significantly improving productivity
2Loss of time
If thermal curing is used for conventional silicone compositions, then the curing process is slow and non-selective, but switching to radiation curing requires modifying the composition formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite silicone composition that combines conventional silicone polymers with photoinitiators and unsaturated functional groups. This composite formulation enables dual functionality: maintaining the desirable properties of conventional silicone while adding radiation-curable characteristics that reduce curing time and enable selective processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates photoinitiators and unsaturated functional groups into the silicone composition during formulation, preparing the material in advance for rapid radiation curing. This preliminary incorporation of curing agents eliminates the need for post-processing modifications and enables immediate selective curing when radiation is applied
3Ease of operation
If multi-component silicone formulations are mixed prior to use, then the composition is ready for molding, but the components may prematurely react before curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cure inhibitor as an intermediary substance that temporarily prevents reaction between the unsaturated siloxane and hydride components. The inhibitor is incorporated into the composition to stabilize the uncured state during handling and storage, allowing the multi-component system to be mixed and processed without premature crosslinking, while ensuring reliable curing when radiation is applied
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
This approach allows for the formation of three-dimensional articles with improved properties, including lower extractables and volatile organic content, and increased productivity, enabling complex shapes and faster manufacturing processes compared to conventional thermally cured silicone systems.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet curable silicone composition including an unsaturated alkenyl-containing siloxane component, a hydride-containing siloxane component, and a photoactive catalyst
Implementation Method 2
a source of radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation curable system to form a radiation curable article includes a container including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the container including an ultraviolet curable silicone composition including an unsaturated, carbon functional group-containing siloxane component, a hydride-containing siloxane component, and a photoactive catalyst; a second portion of the container including a cure inhibitor; and a source of radiation. Further included is a method of forming a radiation curable article includes providing an ultraviolet curable silicone composition in a first portion of a container, wherein the ultraviolet curable silicone composition includes an unsaturated, carbon functional group-containing siloxane component, a hydride-containing siloxane component, and a photoactive catalyst; providing a cure inhibitor in a second portion of the container; and irradiating the silicone composition with a radiation source to form the radiation curable article.