| abstract |
The present teachings contemplate additive manufacturing of articles, such as articles made by layer-by-layer deposition of one or more reformable resin polymeric feed material. In particular the invention relates to a feed material system for preparing an article by additive manufacturing, comprising one or more preform elements of a feed material (i) formed of a reformable resin polymeric material including a polymer backbone having a plurality of repeat units each having ether linkages (e.g. derived from an epoxy containing reactant), and optionally one or more pendant hydroxyl moeities; and (ii) which is capable of transforming from a generally non-tacky first state to a second state in which the material is softened, upon application of heat, relative to the first state and is at least partially tacky in the second state to permit it to adhesively bond to a surface upon which it is deposited for forming a layer on the surface, to a third state in which the material is harder than when in the second state but remains able to further soften upon application of heat, wherein the resulting adhesive bond is substantially devoid of any cross-linking between the layer and the surface, and wherein the one or more elements of the feed material are in a form adapted to be dispensed by an additive manufacturing apparatus. |