LAUSR

This series of publications describes research rendering soft polyisobutylene (PIB)-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) 3D printable by blending with rigid chemically compatible thermoplastics. The molecular structure, morphology, physical properties, and 3D printability of such blends have been systematically investigated. Our first report concerned the rendering of soft poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) 3D printable by blending with rigid polystyrene (PS). Here we report the macromolecular engineering of SIBS/polyphenylene oxide (PPO) blends for 3D printing. PPO, a rigid high-performance thermoplastic, is compatible with the hard PS block in SIBS; however, neither PPO nor SIBS can be directly 3D printed. We systematically tuned the microphase-separated structures and physical properties of SIBS/PPO blends by controlling blending ratios and molecular weights. Suitable composition ranges and desirable properties of SIBS/PPO blends for 3D printing were optimized. The morphology and properties of SIBS/PPO blends were characterized by an ensemble of techniques, including atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and thermal and mechanical properties testing. The elucidation of processing-structure-property relationship of SIBS/PPO blends is essential for 3D printing and advanced manufacturing of high-performance polymer systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.