New monomer systems for the additive manufacturing of high-performance polymers

Abstract

Classic lithography-based additive manufacturing processes (L-AMTs) are the benchmark when it comes to the high-precision production of components. Nevertheless, the industry suffers from the limited choice of materials available to them in this area. The slow reaction kinetics of many monomer systems make them unsuitable for classic L-AMTS. With Hot Lithography, a suitable addition was recently launched on the market. By heating the relevant parts during the additive manufacturing (AM) process, completely new materials are suddenly feasible in the field of 3D printing.This innovation opportunity is used in this work to research completely new polymers, preferably high-performance polymers, for AM. By selecting and analyzing suitable catalysts and co-catalysts, three polymers, previously little or unknown in the field of light-induced curing, could be produced photo-chemically. The chemical aspects behind the reaction were analyzed as far as possible, the appropriate reaction parameters were evaluated, and the respective system was optimized to the extent that it can be additively manufactured if possible.In addition to the first 3D printing of pure phenoplasts, also known as Bakelite, the AM of pure polycyanurates with a glass transition temperature of over 330 °C is presented in this work. Furthermore, for the first time ever, the light-induced curing of isocyanates to polyisocyanurates and their use in the field of coating technology can be presented.In general, three different proof-of-concepts are presented in this work, which are intended to expand the portfolio of materials in the field of AM and further to provide a basic framework for further research work in the field of light-induced curing.