Water soluble polymer compositions
A water soluble polymer composition includes a water soluble polymer and a sugar and may be used as a support in additive manufacturing processes.
1. A drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock
comprising:
a water soluble polymer composition feedstock formed from melt processing a semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and a sugar;
wherein the water soluble polymer composition feedstock is drawn, such that the water soluble polymer composition feedstock has a draw down ratio of at least about 1.5:1.
2. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 2:1.
3. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 3:1.
4. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 5:1.
5. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the sugar has a melting point of at least 186° C.
6. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and the sugar are substantially miscible.
7. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition feedstock is substantially dry.
8. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition feedstock is a pellet, powder, filament, billet, sheet, or shaped profile.
9. The drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer is derived from a poly alcohol, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a combination thereof.
10. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 9 , wherein the water soluble polymer is derived from a polyvinyl alcohol.
11. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer is butendiol vinylalcohol copolymer and the sugar is trehalose.
12. A method comprising:
melt processing a semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and sugar to form a water soluble polymer composition;
forming a feedstock from the water soluble polymer composition; and
drawing the feedstock, such that the feedstock has a draw ratio of at least about 1.5:1.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 3:1.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 5:1.
15. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the sugar has a melting point of at least 186° C.
16. The method according to claim 12 , wherein drawing the feedstock includes using a godet operation or puller.
17. A method of printing a drawn water soluble polymer composition comprising:
providing a drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock, the drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock having a draw ratio of at least about 1.5:1 and formed from melt processing a semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and sugar; and
printing a three-dimensional printed object generally disposed on a substantially horizontal build plate using the drawn water soluble polymer composition feedstock.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 2:1.
19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the draw ratio is at least about 3:1.
20. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the sugar has a melting point of at least 186° C.