Patent ID: 6100007
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B29C,B33Y,G03F

Abstract:
A method for producing three-dimensional shaped articles comprising:a) treating a radiation-curable composition comprising1) 55-90% by weight of at least one solid or liquid actinic radiation-curable and cationically polymerizing organic substance that consists essentially of at least one glycidylether of a polyhydric aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic alcohol having at least three epoxy groups with epoxy equivalent weight between 90 and 800 g/equivalent and at least one solid or liquid alicyclic epoxide with epoxy equivalent weight between 80 and 330 having at least two epoxy groups with a monomer purity of at least about 80% by weight, and mixtures thereof;2) 0.05 to 10% by weight an actinic radiation-sensitive initiator for cationic polymerization;3) 5% to 25% by weight of an actinic radiation-curable and radical-polymerizing organic substance; and4) 0.02 to 10% by weight an actinic radiation-sensitive initiator for radical polymerization,with the sum total of components (1) through (4) being 100 percent by weight with actinic radiation to form an at least partially cured layer on the surface of said composition within a surface region corresponding to a desired cross-sectional area of the three-dimensional article to be formed,b) covering the at least partially cured layer produced in step a) with a new layer of said radiation-curable composition,c) repeating steps a) and b) until an article having the desired shape is formed, andd) post-curing the resulting article at an elevated temperature for sufficient time to achieve a final article having a heat deflection temperature in excess of 110.degree. C.