Issue 38, 2022

Direct ink writing of tough, stretchable silicone composites

Abstract

In this work, we report 3D printable soft composites that are simultaneously stretchable and tough. The matrix of the composite consists of polydimethylsiloxane containing octuple hydrogen bonding sites, resulting in a material significantly tougher than conventional polydimethylsiloxane. Short glass fibers are also added to the material. Prior to solvent evaporation, the material possesses a viscoelastic yield stress making it suitable for printing via direct ink writing. We mechanically characterize the printed composite, including fracture tests. We observe robust crack deflection and delay of catastrophic failure, leading to measured toughness values up to 2 00 000 J m−2 for specimens with 5 vol% glass fibers. The printed composites exhibit an unprecedented combination of stiffness, stretchability, and toughness.

Graphical abstract: Direct ink writing of tough, stretchable silicone composites

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 Jul 2022
Accepted
10 Sep 2022
First published
13 Sep 2022

Soft Matter, 2022,18, 7341-7347

Author version available

Direct ink writing of tough, stretchable silicone composites

C. Mo, R. Yin and J. R. Raney, Soft Matter, 2022, 18, 7341 DOI: 10.1039/D2SM00923D

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