3d printing of elastomeric block copolymers with tailored mechanical properties

Abstract

A method for printing via a high operating temperature direct ink writing process is disclosed. The method comprises extruding a filament by causing a filament material, which includes a thermoplastic elastomer, to experience a shear rate of at least 1 s−1 within a print nozzle, increasing anisotropy by increasing a translational velocity of a print nozzle to achieve a draw ratio>1, and then annealing the filament. Also provided is a component formed via 3D printing, comprising a layer from a 3D printed filament composed of an anisotropic nanostructured thermoplastic elastomer, where at least one portion of the component has at least two macro segments arranged linearly in series or a combination of segments both in series and in parallel, where the at least two macro segments are configured to tune the mechanical functionality of the at least one portion of the component.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.