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On the 3D printability of silicone-based adhesives via viscous paste extrusion

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Abstract

Silicone, a commonly used household and construction adhesive, filler, or sealant, is also known for its flexibility, thermal stability, and insulating properties. It is viable as a conformally 3D-printed elastomeric matrix for flexible electronics and biomedical applications. Since most of the popular 3D printing methods use precise print specifications and defined resolution, this study explored the 3D printability of commercial silicone adhesives via a paste extrusion setup. Its viscoelastic and composition properties including the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of printed objects using controlled print parameters have been investigated. These experimental processes in 3D printing should pave the way in using materials originally intended for household use.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Case Western Reserve University and the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) for the support grant that fueled our research efforts on the area of additive manufacturing. The authors also gratefully acknowledge funding from the Governor’s Chair Funds, University of Tennessee system and the Center for Materials Processing (CMP)-TCE. Technical support from Malvern Panalytical, Frontier Laboratories and Quantum Analytics is gratefully acknowledged. Part of this work was conducted by ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences by R.C. Advincula, which is a US Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Kent Hale Smith Bldg., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Alejandro H. Espera Jr., John Ryan C. Dizon, Arnaldo D. Valino, Qiyi Chen, Italo G. M. Silva, Dung V. Nguyen, Lihan Rong & Rigoberto C. Advincula

  2. Electronics Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Architecture, Ateneo de Davao University, 8016, Davao City, Philippines

    Alejandro H. Espera Jr.

  3. Department of Engineering Education, College of Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Alejandro H. Espera Jr.

  4. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Alejandro H. Espera Jr. & Rigoberto C. Advincula

  5. DR3AM Center/Department of Industrial Engineering, Bataan Peninsula State University, 2100, City of Balanga, Bataan, Philippines

    John Ryan C. Dizon

  6. Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Adamson University, 1000, Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

    John Ryan C. Dizon & Arnaldo D. Valino

  7. Center for Nanophase Materials and Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA

    Qiyi Chen & Rigoberto C. Advincula

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  1. Alejandro H. Espera Jr.
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  2. John Ryan C. Dizon
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  8. Rigoberto C. Advincula
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Correspondence to Rigoberto C. Advincula.

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Espera, A.H., Dizon, J.R.C., Valino, A.D. et al. On the 3D printability of silicone-based adhesives via viscous paste extrusion. MRS Communications 13, 102–110 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43579-022-00318-x

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