3D Printable Materials Based on Renewable Polymers from Terpene Alcohols and Calcium Carbide

Abstract

The transition to a sustainable future requires the use of waste‐free technologies for production. Potentially, additive technologies can be a promising approach for accessing circular economy due to the precise amount of feeding materials and the absence of molds. However, the initial feeding materials for additive approaches are often based on non–renewable hydrocarbon sources. This work focused on the use of polymers derived from terpene alcohols to develop a filament suitable for 3D printing. Initially, the vinylation of menthol using calcium carbide was optimized and scaled up, then a series of terpenyl–based vinyl ethers were obtained under optimal conditions. The cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers was also scaled up and resulted in 99 % yield of the polymers, which was subsequently subjected to hot extrusion. The initial terpenol was used as an additive to increase polymer flexibility. The addition of menthol (30 wt %) to polyvinyl menthol led to the suitable filament. Using the filament, a series of objects were 3D printed at 125 °C. The material demonstrated good sinterability and adhesion to glass and shrinkage comparable to that of commercial 3D printing filaments. Furthermore, the polymers obtained were used as additives to enhance the adhesion of commercially available filaments.