On the 3D printability of one-part moisture-curable polyurethanes via direct ink writing (DIW)

Abstract

Direct ink writing (DIW) is an ambient temperature additive manufacturing (AM) method that accommodates many possible ink materials. Here, we demonstrate using a moisture-curable commercially available polyurethane (PU) sealant as an alternative ink for DIW. We discussed the fundamentals of PU chemistry and determined the best 3D printing parameters. Studies on rheological, thermogravimetric, spectroscopic characterization, and initial finite element analyses (FEA) showed properties expected from a performance sealant with high elongation and low modulus of a 3D-printed object. This affirms the flexibility of the DIW technique as an accessible AM method amenable for future materials development from commercial model formulations.