Photo‐curing <scp>3D</scp> printing robust elastomers with ultralow viscosity resin

Abstract

Abstract Photosensitive resins with ultralow viscosity suitable for the silicone‐based elastomers by 3D printing were reported. Based on the facile one‐pot strategy which involved photo‐polymerization of hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and sol–gel transition process of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), silicone‐based elastomers with tunable mechanical properties could be obtained by adjusting the ratio of HEA and MTMS as needed. Due to the physically cross‐linked network formed by hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group of polyhydroxypropyl acrylate (PHEA) and the chemically cross‐linked network formed by MTMS, the stress and strain of printed elastomers reached 3.75 MPa and 205% respectively demonstrating its performance has reached the average level of already reported photo‐curable elastomers. The photosensitive resins with high curing rate and low viscosity are suitable for 3D printing technique.