Photochromatic composition for 3D printing
Compositions relating to three-dimensional (3D) printing. In particular, a photochromatic composition for use in 3D printing comprising a photochrome core with polymeric resin shell disposed thereon and a polymeric component.
1. A photochromatic composition for three-dimensional printing, comprising:
a photochromatic component having a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises a photochromic compound and the shell comprises a polymeric resin, further wherein the photochromatic core comprises from about 50 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the total weight of the photochromatic component;
a polymeric component, wherein the photochromatic component is dispersed within and chemically bounded to the polymeric component and the photochromatic composition is formed into one or more filaments; and
an acid catalyst.
2. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic compound is selected from the group consisting of spiropyrans, spirooxazines, diarylenes, azo compounds and mixtures thereof and the polymeric resin of the shell comprises melamine resin.
3. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the filament has a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.
4. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light colors the photochromic compound in the photochromatic composition and further wherein exposure to visible light and/or elevated temperatures de-colors the photochromic compound in the photochromatic composition.
5. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the photochromatic core-shell component has a particle diameter of from about 100 nm to about 2 μm.
6. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric resin of the shell is selected from the group consisting of melamine resin, urea resin, benzoguanamine resin, glycoluril resin, and mixtures thereof.
7. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric component is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly-lactic acid (PLA), nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), and mixtures thereof.
8. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric component comprises laywood.
9. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric component is biodegradable.
10. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric shell comprises from about 0.1 to about 50 percent by weight of the total weight of the photochromatic component.
11. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , having a viscosity of from about 200 centipoise to about 10,000 centipoise at from about 100° C. to about 200° C.
12. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , having a Young's Modulus of from about 0.5 to about 5 gigapascals.
13. The photochromatic composition of claim 1 , having a Tg of from about 50° C. to about 200° C.
14. A three-dimensional product comprising the photochromatic composition of claim 1 .
15. A method of three-dimensional printing comprising:
providing a photochromatic composition for use in three-dimensional printing comprising:
a photochromatic component have a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises a photochromic compound and the shell comprises a polymeric resin, wherein the photochromatic core comprises from about 50 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the total weight of the photochromatic component,
a polymeric component, wherein the photochromatic component is dispersed within and chemically bounded to the polymeric composition, and an acid catalyst;
extruding the photochromatic composition to provide a filament; and
supplying the filament to a heated nozzle to apply the photochromatic composition to a substrate to form three-dimensional object on the substrate.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the filament is further formed into a spool for use in three-dimensional printing.
17. A photochromatic composition for three-dimensional printing, comprising:
a photochromatic component having a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises a photochromic compound and the shell comprises a polymeric resin, the polymeric resin of the shell being selected from the group consisting of melamine resin, urea resin, benzoguanamine resin, glycoluril resin, and mixtures thereof, and further wherein the photochromatic core comprises from about 50 to about 99.9 percent by weight of the total weight of the photochromatic component; and
a polymeric component, wherein the photochromatic component is dispersed within and chemically bounded to the polymeric component and the photochromatic composition is formed into one or more filaments.