Photoresins based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and benzenedithiols for optical 3D printing

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the design and investigation of novel acrylated epoxidized soybean oil-based photocurable systems as candidate materials for optical 3D printing.

Design/methodology/approach

Aromatic dithiols, benzene-1,3-dithiol or benzene-1,4-dithiol, were used as cross-linking agents of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil in these systems. Kinetics of photocross-linking was investigated by real-time photorheometry using two different photoinitiators, 2, 2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone or 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone, in different quantities. The effect of the initial composition on the rate of photocross-linking, mechanical, thermal properties and swelling of obtained polymers was investigated.

Findings

The rate of photocross-linking was higher, more cross-links and shorter polymer chains between cross-linking points of the network were formed when benzene-1,4-dithiol and 2, 2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone were used in compositions. The higher yield of insoluble fraction, glass transition temperatures and values of compressive modulus were obtained when benzene-1,3-dithiol and 2, 2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone were used in compositions.

Originality/value

This is the first study of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil-based thiol-ene system by real-time photorheometry. The designed novel photocurable systems based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and benzenedithiols are promising renewable photoresins for rapid optical 3D printing on demand.

Citation

Miezinyte, G., Ostrauskaite, J., Rainosalo, E., Skliutas, E. and Malinauskas, M. (2019), "Photoresins based on acrylated epoxidized soybean oil and benzenedithiols for optical 3D printing", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 378-387. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-04-2018-0101