Method of controlled conversion of thermosetting resins and additive manufacturing thereof by selective laser sintering

DWPI Title: Printing a thermosetting polymer by producing a resin powder from the partially cured resin material, printing and sintering the resin powder on a print bed, and curing the printed portion according to a post-print cure schedule
Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of controlled conversion of thermosetting resins and additive manufacturing thereof by selective laser sintering. Partial curing of a thermosetting formulation can be used to increase the Tg of the resin and minimize the additional cure needed to cross-link a printed object. After printing, the partially cured material is finally cured via a slow temperature ramp maintained just below the material's evolving Tg.
Use: Printing a thermosetting polymer.
Advantage: The method provides a controlled conversion of thermosetting resins and additive manufacturing by selective laser sintering. Partial curing of a thermosetting formulation can be used to increase the glass transition temperature of the resin and minimize the additional cure needed to crosslink a printed object.
Novelty: A thermosetting polymer is printed by providing a partially cured resin material, producing a resin powder from the partially cured resin material, printing and sintering the resin powder on a print bed at a bed temperature near a glass transition temperature of the resin powder to provide a printed portion, and curing the printed portion according to a post-print cure schedule to provide a cured printed portion.
Filed: 8/12/2021
Application Number: US17400417A
Tech ID: SD 15125.1
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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