Three-dimensional printing
An agent for three-dimensional (3D) printing includes at least 3 wt % active, based on a total weight of the agent, of a paraben selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, heptyl paraben, benzyl paraben, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and an aqueous vehicle. The aqueous vehicle includes up to 85 wt % active, based on the total weight of the agent, of a co-solvent package including at least one co-solvent present in an amount sufficient to increase a solubility of the paraben in the aqueous vehicle; and a balance of water.
1 . An anti-microbial agent for three-dimensional (3D) printing, comprising:
at least 3 wt % active, based on a total weight of the anti-microbial agent, of a paraben selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, heptyl paraben, benzyl paraben, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and
an aqueous vehicle including:
up to 85 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent, of a co-solvent package including at least one co-solvent present in an amount sufficient to increase a solubility of the paraben in the aqueous vehicle; and
a balance of water.
2 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 1 wherein the paraben is present in an amount ranging from at least 3 wt % active to about 15 wt % active based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent.
3 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one co-solvent consists of a phenol ether and an alcohol.
4 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 3 wherein:
the phenol ether is 2-phenoxyethanol or 2-phenylethanol present in an amount ranging from at least 0.5 wt % active to about 3 wt % active based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent; and
the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, and a diol, and is present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt % active to about 80 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent.
5 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 3 wherein:
the phenol ether is 2-phenoxyethanol or 2-phenylethanol present in an amount ranging from at least 0.5 wt % active to about 3 wt % active based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent;
the alcohol consists of a first alcohol and a second alcohol;
the first alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, and glycerol present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt % active to about 10 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent; and
the second alcohol is propylene glycol present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt % active to about 75 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent.
6 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 3 wherein:
the phenol ether is 2-phenoxyethanol or 2-phenylethanol present in an amount ranging from at least 1 wt % active to about 3 wt % active based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent;
the alcohol consists of a first alcohol and a second alcohol;
the first alcohol is ethanol present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt % active to about 10 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent; and
the second alcohol is propylene glycol present in an amount ranging from about 30 wt % active to about 50 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent.
7 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a surfactant.
8 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a radiation absorbing material.
9 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 8 wherein the radiation absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of an infrared radiation absorbing material and an ultraviolet radiation absorbing material.
10 . The anti-microbial agent as defined in claim 1 wherein the anti-microbial agent consists of the paraben, the aqueous vehicle, an optional surfactant, and an optional radiation absorbing material.
11 . A method for three-dimensional (3D) printing, comprising:
applying a polymeric build material composition to form a build material layer;
based on a digital 3D object model of the 3D object, selectively applying a fusing agent on at least a portion of the build material layer;
based on the digital 3D object model, selectively applying an anti-microbial agent on the at least a portion of the build material layer, the anti-microbial agent including:
at least 3 wt % active, based on a total weight of the anti-microbial agent, of a paraben selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, heptyl paraben, benzyl paraben, salts thereof, and combinations thereof; and
an aqueous vehicle including:
up to 85 wt % active, based on the total weight of the anti-microbial agent, of a co-solvent package including at least one co-solvent present in an amount sufficient to increase a solubility of the paraben in the aqueous vehicle; and
a balance of water; and
exposing the build material layer to electromagnetic radiation to coalesce the at least the portion to form a layer of a 3D object that exhibits anti-microbial properties.
12 . The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the fusing agent and the anti-microbial agent are a combined agent and the selective application occurs simultaneously.
13 . The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the fusing agent and the anti-microbial agent are sequentially applied over multiple printing passes.
14 . The method as defined in claim 11 , further comprising:
iteratively applying individual build material layers of the polymeric build material composition;
based on the digital 3D object model, selectively applying the fusing agent and the anti-microbial agent to at least some of the individual build material layers to define individually patterned layers; and
iteratively exposing the individually patterned layers to the electromagnetic radiation to form individual object layers.
15 . A 3D printed article, comprising:
coalesced polymeric build material; and
at least 0.1 wt %, based on a total weight of the 3D printed article, of a paraben selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, heptyl paraben, benzyl paraben, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.