Abstract
3D Printing Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a valuable tool for rapidly prototyping complex parts from a range of materials. A challenge in printing most elastomers (rubber-like, highly stretchable polymers) is that they are mechanically soft and thus require external support during the printing process. Nian et al. developed a series of bottlebrush polymers composed of polydimethylsiloxane and poly(benzyl methacrylate) that have a high overall molecular weight because of their high density of short side chains but form few entanglements in the melt state. The polymers can be 3D printed without a support structure but are 100 times softer than other printed elastomers. At the same time, the printed structures can be stretched up to 600% and are stable up to 180°C but can be reprocessed with the aid of solvents. Chem. Mater. 33 , 2436 (2021).
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call