pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S12 - (General Session 12) Rubber Processing and Technology
Keynote Presentation
 
 

Soft materials for 3D printing

Kim JinKuk (1)*

(1) GyeongSang National University - Gyeongnam - Korea

Abstract: 3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It has been a very attractive manufacturing processing method in the industries. However, most used polymers in 3D printing are found to be brittle materials such as ABS, PA and PLA. Soft materials are required by the consumers. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes technology. Therefore, the object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is formed. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object. These printing methods need to develop with a sound technology. The possible methods of 3D printing are Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using powder materials, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) using filament materials, Stereolithography (SLA) using liquid materials and Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) using sheet materials. So far, soft materials for 3D printing technology, such as elastomer and rubber, are very few although they have excellent mechanical properties (tear strength and tensile strength) and other unique properties (elasticity, sealability, shock absorption). Various products with unique functions can be printed by 3D printing using elastomer and rubber due to their novel properties if we can overcome the other limitations of a soft material. Our research group is working on 3D printing project using soft materials. It will be widely used in the industries, such as multifunctional materials, sensors, health care, medical fields and robotics fields in the future. Keyword: 3D printing, soft material, elastomer, rubber