Robust and Highly Stretchable UV-Curable Rubber/Polyurethane-Based Resins Reinforced with Photocurable Cellulose...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Elastomeric resins are crucial for coatings and 3D printing but limited in availability.
• Existing photocurable elastomers often suffer from shrinkage during UV curing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel photocurable elastomeric resin with high elasticity and toughness.
• To investigate the role of molecular architecture in UV curing and elastomer properties.
• To demonstrate the application of the resin in stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a photocurable resin via olefin cross-metathesis of polybutadiene-based thermoset polyurethane.
• UV curing of the synthesized resin to form robust elastomers.
• Incorporation of a cellulose-based reinforcing component (CA-MA) to tune properties.
• Tensile testing and formulation adjustments.
• Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing using the developed resin.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly elastic elastomers with an elongation rate exceeding 1300%.
• Demonstrated that the resin's fragment architecture minimizes shrinkage during UV curing.
• Enhanced modulus and toughness (up to 46 MJ m⁻³) by incorporating CA-MA.
• Successfully fabricated complex 3D structures using SLA 3D printing.

Conclusions:

• A novel, UV-curable elastomeric resin with superior elasticity and toughness was successfully synthesized.
• The molecular design effectively addresses UV curing shrinkage, a common issue in photocurable elastomers.
• The developed resin is suitable for advanced applications, including SLA-based 3D printing of complex elastomeric components.