(568a) Formulation of UV Curable Resins Utilized in Vat Photo Polymerization for the Additive Manufacturing of Gun Propulsion Charge in 3D Printers

Formulating resins for Additive Manufacturing (AM) utilizing UV laser stereolithography (SLA) is a new technique that makes it possible for the fabrication of complex geometries with high dimensional resolution. This layer by layer photopolymerization approach spans various industrial sectors from adhesives, inks and optical fibers to nanotechnology and biomaterials. UV curable resins such as epoxides, vinyl ethers and other acrylates are important monomers that offer effective mediums for energetic materials, and the potential exists to develop environmentally friendly formulations with suspended energetic materials at various solids loading levels.

Developing techniques for UV curing formulations of highly loaded energetic suspensions is a challenging feat that must satisfy several requirements and produce a high quality formulation with synergistic ingredient combinations to enhance propulsion phenomena. The candidate formulation must be able to operate in an (SLA) resin tank, meaning the suspension must be at least as fluidic as conventional SLA resins; and a thorough understanding of the polymer network structure and cure kinetics is essential for a resulting polymer that exhibits good mechanical properties.