I have been studying DLP/LCD 3D printing elastomers. I have tried using different UV curable materials such as HEA, EA, or polyurethane acrylate (PUA)-IBOA to fabricate UV-curable elastomers. The extension of the elastomer is up to 100-900%. However, the 3D printed structure (such as a lattice structure) cannot withstand twist or tension loads for cycles. I have tried using UV light to cure the 3D structure from 30 minutes to 1 hour, but the performance was not improved. How can I improve the mechanical performance of 3D printed elastomer structures? Thank!.
Just a tentative idea. Probably the new deposited layer cannot adhere well to the already cured layer. Maybe you should formulate your system so that it has enough mechanical strength to hold the structure and perform the curing afterward. Probably the interfacial strength between the layers will be better. Another idea is to use combined initiation: photoinitiation for first curing followed by thermal initiation for the later stage. It is also possible to use dual curing: olefin bond polymerization by light curing and isocyanate-based curing or epoxy based curing for thermal reaction.
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