3D Printable Resins for High-Performance Glassy Carbon Products

Opportunity   

The rapid growth of 3D printing has transformed additive manufacturing, offering unparalleled precision in complex structure fabrication. However, conventional resins often lack thermal stability and mechanical durability for high-performance engineering applications. This invention addresses these limitations by developing high-performance 3D printing materials tailored for engineering, aerospace and electronics applications. 

Technology 

This inventions presents advanced 3D printing resins with superior thermal, mechanical and structural performance: 

• Photocurable benzoxazine (BZ) resins: Low viscosity formulations that cure into high-strength polybenzoxazine (PBZ) thermosets with high glass transition temperatures. 
• Glassy carbon (GC) 3D printing resins: Phthalonitrile (PN)-based carbon precursor resins with a high carbon yield (>60%), significantly outperforming existing 3D printable resins. 

The resins are compatible with conventional 3D printing technologies, such as stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) printers, to achieve low shrinkage, good structural integrity and flame retardancy. Their ability to create intricate 3D glassy carbon structures overcomes conventional manufacturing challenges, expanding the scope of 3D printing resin applications. 

Figure 1: Preparation route of glassy carbon. 

Applications & Advantages  

Applications: 

• Additive manufacturing materials for aerospace, automotive and electronics. 
• Glassy carbon 3D printing for high-temperature-resistant components.
• Photocurable benzoxazine resins for advanced 3D printing resins in engineering applications. 

Advantages:

• High thermal stability with glass transition temperatures ~300°C. 
• High carbon yield (>60%), surpassing conventional 3D printable resins.
• Excellent mechanical strength and low shrinkage for precise 3D printing.
• Flame-retardant properties, ensuring material stability in high-performance environments.