Silicone–Epoxy‐Based Hybrid Photopolymers for 3D Printing

Abstract

In the present research, a type of cycloaliphatic silicone–epoxy resin is synthesized and then compounded with acrylates as well as photoinitiators to obtain hybrid photopolymers. The photocuring rate of the hybrid photopolymers, the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the cured samples with different silicone–epoxy/acrylate ratios are studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy images prove that interpenetrating polymer network structure is formed. To improve the mechanical properties, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A is added and finally a type of hybrid photopolymer suitable for stereolithography 3D printing is obtained. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and photo‐differential scanning calorimeter measurements show that the hybrid photopolymer has a high curing rate, while thermal property tests prove that the cured sample has high thermal stability. Mechanical property tests show that the cured samples have a tensile strength of 40.3 MPa with a break elongation of 6.7%. The objects printed with the hybrid photopolymer exhibit high resolution and dimension accuracy.

Systematic research of physicochemical properties of functional photopolymers for additive manufacturing

“…Regarding the above discussions, it can be concluded that the photoreactive polymer resin is a type of macromolecular methacrylic acid (MAA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) mixture [70,94,[107][108][109]. Figure 43 prove that the Cu NWs and CuNi NWs embedded in the polymer matrix of the substrates manufactured by 3D printing have a facecentered cubic structure (in agreement with the database PDF-02 of the ICDD).…”

Fabrication and Functionalization of 3D Printed Polydimethylsiloxane‐Based Microfluidic Devices Obtained through Digital Light Processing

“…Under these conditions, the most frequently used photoinitiators for 3D printing applications are phosphine oxide‐based compounds (TPO and BAPO). [ 45–47 ] These photoinitiators have been reported in the literature for silicone‐based formulations, [ 41,42,48 ] however they do not mix well in the TRAD oligomer. Therefore, we selected a phosphine‐oxide derivate photoinitiator specifically synthesized for this approach (BAPO‐Si, Figure S1, Supporting Information).…”

3‐D printed spectacles: potential, challenges and the future

“…The finished products were generally rigid, brittle and prone to shrinkage and not ideal for spectacle frames or lenses. 20 However, resins with higher viscoelastic properties have been developed more recently to print objects with greater flexibility, impact resistance and more resistance to shrinkage, 21 although post-curing might be required to improve structure strength. 22 Clear resins can also be printed, 23 and are a potential material for lenses; however, to achieve optical transparency, post-processing techniques must be applied.…”