Specialty chemical and advanced materials developer Arkema announced an increased focus on 3D printing materials research back in 2015, and two years later began a major investment plan for its biosourced polyamide 11 chain in an effort to increase production capacities in Asia. Arkema was joined in this investment plan by its subsidiary Sartomer, which itself is an important provider of advanced photocurable resin solutions. In business for over 60 years, Sartomer specializes in chemicals for ultraviolet and electron beam (UV/EB), peroxide, and two-part epoxy/amine systems. The Arkema business line works with innovators in the additive manufacturing industry to help them develop solutions and custom formulations that support their performance demands and new applications.
Now, Sartomer has announced a new partnership with Sirrus, an Ohio-based chemistry startup that develops novel methylene malonate monomers and oligomers. Its materials feature multiple reactive sites, and, according to its website, are “being incorporated into the next generation of high-performance coatings, adhesives, sealants and binders.” Together, the two companies will work to develop advanced new fast-curing methacrylate 3D printing resins.
Jeff Klang, the Global R&D Director of 3D Printing for Sartomer, said in a press release sent to 3DPrint.com, “The collaboration between Sirrus and Sartomer is yielding discoveries that are leading to development of new resins for 3D printing that will open up new regimes of printing and physical properties performance.”
Sirrus works with development partners in multiple industries, such as automotive, consumer goods, electronics, and packaging, and its patented technology is centered around methylene malonate monomers and oligomeric crosslinkers that are able to polymerize anionically (regarding negatively charged ions) at ambient temperatures. According to the chemistry company, methylene malonate monomers feature UV, heat, and oxidation stability, have a broad range of functionality, and possess great potential in many applications, such as composite binders, adhesives for industrial use, and encapsulated pigments.
The new advanced 3D printing resins Sirrus and Sartomer are working together to create are based on the co-polymerization of methacrylates and methylene malonates.
Methylene malonate monomers (Image: Sirrus)
Mark Holzer, the Vice President of Application Development at Sirrus, said, “Research has demonstrated that methylene malonate comonomers can significantly enhance the UV-cure rate of some methacrylates.”
At RadTech Orlando 2020, a biennial conference and exhibition dedicated to UV/EB technology that began this weekend in Florida, experts from both companies will be on hand to explain more about their work together, and the role of methylene malonates in the next generation of AM resins. At the event, Sirrus will be discussing its research regarding the UV curing of methylene malonates at its booth #422.
(Image: Arkema)
At booth #501 at RadTech, Sartomer will be presenting its research on multiple topics related to the additive manufacturing industry, including binder development for ceramics 3D printing, methods to achieve high heat resistance in 3D printing applications, new high-performance AM materials, and its own N3xtDimension photocurable resins for 3D printing, which are part of the 3D Printing Solutions by Arkema Platform.
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