Polymer reinforced materials for inkjet based 3d printing

Abstract

Reinforcing photopolymer resins for inkjet 3D printing. In one embodiment, a polymeric reinforcing agent is at least partially dissolved into a UV-curable matrix material. Upon polymerization of the matrix material, the reinforcing agent undergoes a decrease in solubility and precipitates from solution. The reinforcing agent agglomerates, forming phase-separated domains that strengthen the photopolymer matrix, resulting in increased tensile strength and toughness. In another aspect, the invention relates to a reinforced composition for 3D ink printing comprising: a UV-curable matrix material and a reinforcing agent at least partially soluble in the UV-curable matrix material. In an embodiment, the UV-curable matrix material is selected from the group consisting of: acrylates, thiol-enes and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the reinforcing agent is selected according to the properties of the UV-curable matrix material. In an embodiment, the reinforcing agent has a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) than the UV-curable matrix material. In an embodiment, the reinforcing agent is non-UV-curable. In an embodiment, the reinforcing agent is non-reactive with UV-curable matrix material. In an embodiment, the tensile strength of the cured reinforced composition is 30-300% higher than the UV-curable matrix material without reinforcing agent. In an embodiment, the tensile strength of the cured reinforced composition depends upon the loading of the reinforcing agent within the reinforced composition. In an embodiment, the content of reinforcing agent is less than 20 wt % in the overall formulation. In an embodiment, the reinforcing agent is a Polyvinylpyrrolidone or a poly(methyl methacrylate).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.