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 water soluble polymer composition comprising:
a semi-crystalline water soluble polymer; and
a sugar having a melting point of at least 186° C.;
wherein the semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and the sugar are melt processable and substantially miscible and form a water soluble polymer composition; and
wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially dry.
2. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer is derived from a poly alcohol, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, or a combination thereof.
3. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 2 , wherein the water soluble polymer is derived from a polyvinyl alcohol.
4. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the sugar is trehalose.
5. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition forms a pellet, micropowder, or filament.
6. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 80° C.
7. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 120° C.
8. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 140° C.
9. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 150° C.
10. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 170° C.
11. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 190° C.
12. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the water soluble polymer composition is substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 210° C.
13. The water soluble polymer composition of claim 1 , further comprising a plasticizer.
14. A three-dimensional printed article comprising:
a three-dimensional printed object generally disposed on a substantially horizontal build plate in a build chamber; and
one or more soluble supports positioned about and supporting one or more portions of the three-dimensional printed object, the soluble supports comprising a water soluble polymer composition;
wherein the water soluble polymer composition is formed by melt processing a semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and a sugar having a melting point of at least 186° C.; and
wherein the semi-crystalline water soluble polymer and the sugar are substantially miscible.
15. The three-dimensional printed article according to claim 14 , wherein one or more soluble supports are substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 80° C.
16. The three-dimensional printed article according to claim 14 , wherein one or more soluble supports are substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 120° C.
17. The three-dimensional printed article according to claim 14 , wherein one or more soluble supports are substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 190° C.
18. The three-dimensional printed article according to claim 14 , wherein one or more soluble supports are substantially stable at a build chamber temperature of at least about 210° C.