Based on recent progress, nonimpact printing techniques can deliver the next generation of materials for an extensive set of novel applications. A novel hot melt ink composition, useful for three-dimensional (3D) printing comprising different waxes, tackifier and plasticizer resins, rheology modifiers, and gas releasing agents, was designed. The behavior of the inks was comparable to commercial hot melt inks without gas releasing agents. The hot melt ink properties promise a possibility of use in a conventional phase-change printer in order to create 3D printed structures. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate thermal properties of the ink components and the extensive study of the thermal behavior of the proposed gas releasing agents has been carried out. The rheology behavior of inks was measured, and printability analysis, such as image detail, definition of dots (height, sharpness of the edges), dot formation, and spreading were investigated. Rub resistance tests were also used together with tape adhesion tests for ink adhesion monitoring.
Alexandra Pekarovicova, Veronika Chovancova-Lovell, Paul D. Fleming, "Novel Phase Change Inks for Printing Three-Dimensional Structures" in Journal of Imaging Science and Technology, 2006, pp 550 - 555, https://doi.org/10.2352/J.ImagingSci.Technol.(2006)50:6(550)