Tunable Elasto-Viscoplastic Properties of Polymer Blends for 3D Printing Applications
(2025) In Macromolecular Rapid Communications 46(23).- Abstract
Post-extrusion flow dynamics of soft matter are governed by their elasto-viscoplastic (EVP) rheological properties, which influence filament stability, die swelling, and shape fidelity in extrusion-based 3D printing. Achieving precision and control in printed structures requires optimizing yield stress, viscoelasticity, and extrusion pressure to minimize excessive die swelling and material spreading, which can lead to unstable extrusion and poor print fidelity. We investigate Carbopol-polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends as model EVP fluids, systematically varying their composition to assess die swelling, print width, and deposition accuracy. Rheo-SAXS measurements reveal that die swelling can be directly related to characteristic nanoscale... (More)
Post-extrusion flow dynamics of soft matter are governed by their elasto-viscoplastic (EVP) rheological properties, which influence filament stability, die swelling, and shape fidelity in extrusion-based 3D printing. Achieving precision and control in printed structures requires optimizing yield stress, viscoelasticity, and extrusion pressure to minimize excessive die swelling and material spreading, which can lead to unstable extrusion and poor print fidelity. We investigate Carbopol-polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends as model EVP fluids, systematically varying their composition to assess die swelling, print width, and deposition accuracy. Rheo-SAXS measurements reveal that die swelling can be directly related to characteristic nanoscale lengthscales. Parametric analysis using the Ohnesorge ((Formula presented.)) and modified Bingham ((Formula presented.)) numbers reveals that at high (Formula presented.) (yield stress, (Formula presented.) Pa) and (Formula presented.), surface tension and viscoelastic effects dominate, leading to excessive die swelling and spreading upon deposition (up to 1.6 and 6 times the nozzle diameter, respectively), ultimately causing drop formation rather than stable filament extrusion. Conversely, (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) ensure optimal printability, high shape fidelity, and minimal die swelling. These findings guide EVP formulation and optimal extrusion pressure using dimensionless groups that capture material rheology and flow behavior.
(Less)
- author
- Mishra, Ases Akas ; Chandregowda, Manoj ; Faiß, Janina ; Bek, Marko ; Terry, Ann E. LU ; Nygård, Kim LU ; Arlov, Dragana LU and Kádár, Roland LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-12-05
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- 3D printing, die swelling, elasto-viscoplastic, inkjet printing, viscoelasticity, yield stress
- in
- Macromolecular Rapid Communications
- volume
- 46
- issue
- 23
- article number
- e00249
- publisher
- Wiley-VCH Verlag
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:40550786
- scopus:105008751993
- ISSN
- 1022-1336
- DOI
- 10.1002/marc.202500249
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Macromolecular Rapid Communications published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
- id
- e3663b64-f04e-44df-8dcb-4b3f47e259bc
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-13 14:23:27
- date last changed
- 2026-01-13 14:23:41
@article{e3663b64-f04e-44df-8dcb-4b3f47e259bc,
abstract = {{<p>Post-extrusion flow dynamics of soft matter are governed by their elasto-viscoplastic (EVP) rheological properties, which influence filament stability, die swelling, and shape fidelity in extrusion-based 3D printing. Achieving precision and control in printed structures requires optimizing yield stress, viscoelasticity, and extrusion pressure to minimize excessive die swelling and material spreading, which can lead to unstable extrusion and poor print fidelity. We investigate Carbopol-polyethylene oxide (PEO) blends as model EVP fluids, systematically varying their composition to assess die swelling, print width, and deposition accuracy. Rheo-SAXS measurements reveal that die swelling can be directly related to characteristic nanoscale lengthscales. Parametric analysis using the Ohnesorge ((Formula presented.)) and modified Bingham ((Formula presented.)) numbers reveals that at high (Formula presented.) (yield stress, (Formula presented.) Pa) and (Formula presented.), surface tension and viscoelastic effects dominate, leading to excessive die swelling and spreading upon deposition (up to 1.6 and 6 times the nozzle diameter, respectively), ultimately causing drop formation rather than stable filament extrusion. Conversely, (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) ensure optimal printability, high shape fidelity, and minimal die swelling. These findings guide EVP formulation and optimal extrusion pressure using dimensionless groups that capture material rheology and flow behavior.</p>}},
author = {{Mishra, Ases Akas and Chandregowda, Manoj and Faiß, Janina and Bek, Marko and Terry, Ann E. and Nygård, Kim and Arlov, Dragana and Kádár, Roland}},
issn = {{1022-1336}},
keywords = {{3D printing; die swelling; elasto-viscoplastic; inkjet printing; viscoelasticity; yield stress}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{12}},
number = {{23}},
publisher = {{Wiley-VCH Verlag}},
series = {{Macromolecular Rapid Communications}},
title = {{Tunable Elasto-Viscoplastic Properties of Polymer Blends for 3D Printing Applications}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/marc.202500249}},
doi = {{10.1002/marc.202500249}},
volume = {{46}},
year = {{2025}},
}