Self-healing prints with digital light processing 3D printer
摘要
In this study, we investigated the self-healing capability and the printability of microcapsule-based photopolymers using a 3D printer with digital light processing (DLP) technology. Epoxy-containing polyureaformaldehyde-shell microcapsules with an average diameter of 32 nm were synthesized, and 0, 1, 2, and 4% (wt.) microcapsules were added to the formulation containing bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BIS-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), along with 2% (wt.) Phenylbis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (BAPO). SEM images were used to examine the self-healing performance of 3D prints containing microcapsules. Samples containing 2% (wt.) microcapsules demonstrated the best self-healing performance 10 days after being damaged compared to other microcapsule-containing formulations. As the microcapsule content in the formulation increased, the surface roughness of the prints increased, leading to increased water repellency as observed through contact angle measurements. Three-dimensional models with thicknesses of 25, 50, and 100 microns were fabricated using microcapsule-containing formulations. Flexural strength tests revealed that 3D prints with a layer thickness of 100 microns and containing 2% (by weight) microcapsules exhibited higher flexural strength compared to other microcapsule-containing formulations.