Thermoset additive manufactured articles incorporating a phase change material and method to make them

Abstract

An additive manufactured article is comprised of at least two adhered layers of extrudates () comprised of a thermoset material having therein a phase change material, wherein the phase change material undergoes a phase change at a temperature less than where the thermoset material decomposes. The article may be made by dispensing a mixture comprised of an organic reactive material and phase change material forming extrudates that are 3D printed into an article having multiple layers of extrudates bound together and then allowing the organic reactive material to react forming a thermoset material having therein the phase change material to form the additive manufactured article. The shape of the article may be changed by heating to a temperature above the temperature where the phase change material undergoes a phase change while applying a force and then cooling below the phase change temperature. Likewise, the original shape may be returned by merely heating above the phase change temperature and then cooling in the absence of a force being applied.