3d printing method utilizing a photocurable silicone composition

A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) article, said method comprising the steps of:

• I) printing a first photocurable silicone composition with a 3D printer to form a layer;
• II) irradiating the layer with an energy source to form an at least partially cured layer;
• III) printing a second photocurable silicone composition on the at least partially cured layer with the 3D printer to form a subsequent layer;
• and
• IV) irradiating the subsequent layer with the energy source to form an at least partially cured subsequent layer;
• and
• V) optionally, repeating steps III) and IV) with independently selected photocurable silicone compositions for any additional layer(s) to form the 3D article;
• wherein the first and second photocurable silicone compositions are the same as or different from one another;
• and
• wherein the 3D printer comprises at least one of a powder-bed 3D printer, an extrusion 3D printer, or a light-polymerized 3D printer.

A photocurable silicone composition for three-dimensional (3D) printing, said photocurable silicone composition comprising:

• A) an organosilicon compound having an average of at least two silicon-bonded ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule;
• B) an organosilicon compound having an average of at least two hydrogen atoms per molecule in an amount sufficient to cure said photocurable silicone composition;
• and
• C) a catalytic amount of a photoactivated hydrosilylation catalyst or a photoactivated free radical initiator;
• and
• D) optionally, a filler;
• wherein at least one of the following conditions is true:
• I) ethylenically unsaturated moieties of said silicon-bonded ethylenically unsaturated groups of component A) are separated by at least four atoms, said hydrogen atoms of component B) are silicon-bonded, and component C) is said photoactivated hydrosilylation catalyst;
• II) component A) also has at least one silicon-bonded phenyl group per molecule and a silicon atom bearing an ethylenically unsaturated group and a silicon atom bearing a phenyl group of component A) are separated by only an oxygen atom, said hydrogen atoms of component B) are silicon-bonded, and component C) is said photoactivated hydrosilylation catalyst;
• or
• III) said hydrogen atoms of component B) are sulfur-bonded and component C) is said photoactivated free radical initiator.