Vitrimers based on epoxidized cardanol resin and cystamine for 3D printing applications

With the aim of finding alternatives to fossil-based epoxies for 3D printing, a reprocessable bio-based vitrimer based on a bio epoxy resin (Cardolite® Lite 514HP) and cystamine was investigated. Cystamine was chosen as cross-linker due to its dynamic disulfide bonds, bio-based nature and the presence of highly reactive aliphatic amine groups, enabling rapid network formation. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and ultrafine cellulose (UFC) were used as fillers and rheology modifiers to formulate printable pastes via Liquid Deposition Modeling. The bio-based pastes were printed into various structures by two consecutive steps: printing of the paste at RT followed by cross-linking in oven. Finally, a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemicals used.