UV-curable silicone materials with tuneable mechanical properties for 3D printing

In this paper, we present the development of a family novel, UV-curable, highly flexible, 3D printable silicone-based materials, mechanical properties which can be tuned simply by varying ratio polymerisable reagents within formulation. This tuneability is achieved exploiting balance between in-cure phase separation and differential reactivity formulation to successfully produce composite structures via both casting valve-based jetting processes. The structure cast printed materials were examined in range compositions silicone acrylate 30:70 70:30. segregated structure, evidenced from distinct glass transitions, thermal stability these shown insensitive composition ratio, whereas elastic strongly dependent on composition. stiffness could made vary ~50 kPa ~180 increasing content. study will guide formation new generation Additive Manufacturing (AM) elastomeric functional for various applications ranging flexible electronics regenerative medicine, benefit local changes same material family.