3D Printing of Bismaleimides: From New Ink Formulation to Printed Thermosetting Polymer Objects

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is a novel manufacturing paradigm which has numerous potential applications in industry and research. PolyJet technology allows printing of extremely complex geometrical structures with high precision and smooth surface. New engineering polymers with diverse characteristics should be developed to expand PolyJet applications. Bismaleimides (BMIs) are very attractive polymers due to their excellent thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability, and their good dielectric properties. However, BMIs are currently not available as inks for PolyJet technology. Low‐viscosity aliphatic BMIs are used to develop a novel UV‐curable ink. The UV reactivity and ink viscosity are optimized by addition of an environmentally friendly diluent and a mixture of photoinitiators. Optimization of the jetting and printing conditions allows for the first ever production of 3D thermosetting BMI objects by PolyJet technology. Thermal post curing is used to enhance mechanical properties and thermal stability of the printed material. It is found to have a thermal decomposition temperature, T5%, of about 400 °C, low dielectric constant, high dielectric strength, and low moisture absorption. The resulting properties of the printed BMI material open a wide range of potential applications in fields such as robotics, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and space technology.

Plant-Based Natural Fibre Reinforced Composites: A Review on Fabrication, Properties and Applications

“…On the other hand, the thermosetting polymers (e.g., epoxy, silicone, polyurethane) are moulded into 3D networks along with strong covalent bonds and cross-linking, which makes them tough. These polymers possess higher thermal stability, creep and chemical resistance, easy processability and good wetting properties [61,63]. In general, the synthetic polymers are neither biodegradable nor flame retardant (suppressed by the addition of the nature-based polymers).…”

POSS Polyimide Sealed Flexible Triple‐Junction GaAs Thin‐Film Solar Cells for Space Applications

“…However, most research on modified polyimide is still focused on yellow film, which is not transparent, and thus is not suitable as the sealing film of photoelectric device. [31][32][33] So far, there have been few reports on space-durable polyimide with high transmittance, light weight, and large area, as the sealing films for high-efficiency flexible thin-film solar cells yet.…”

Enhancement of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Bismaleimide Using a Graphene Oxide Modified by Epoxy Silane

“…However, wider usage of BMI resins has been limited because of the inherent brittleness caused by the high crosslink density and the aromatic nature of the network. Efforts have been devoted to overcome those problems, such as incorporating microphase of dispersed elastomers or thermoplastic polymers [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]; cocuring with other thermosetting materials [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]; decreasing the crosslink density through Michael addition with active hydrogen-containing compounds [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]; designing and synthesis of a new type of chain-extended BMI [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. As far as the toughness is concerned, the above methods are effective but usually result in accompanying shortcomings, such as reduction in modulus or poorer thermomechanical properties [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”