3D printing of highly reactive silicones using inkjet type droplet ejection and free space droplet merging and reaction

Additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology using thermoplastics and metals have found mainstream use and acceptance. Nevertheless, these methods are not suitable for several industrially important materials, such as silicones and epoxies that are formed by mixing two or more reactive components and chemically inducing crosslinking. The reaction increases the viscosity of the material significantly, which greatly affects the printing …