| Abstract Scope |
Reactive extrusion additive manufacturing (REAM) has relied on epoxy-based materials, which are rigid and unsuitable for prolonged skin contact, limiting their use in many applications. This work introduces an elastomeric alternative, Dragon Skin Very Fast polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), to expand the material capabilities of the REAM platform. Due to its low shape integrity prior to curing, PDMS lacks the structural integrity required for unsupported printing, constraining achievable geometries. To address this limitation, an inert support bath composed of silicone oil with a fumed silica modifier is implemented. The bath is chemically compatible with both PDMS and epoxy systems and provides mechanical support during deposition. This study systematically evaluates print fidelity with and without the support bath, characterizes the rheological behavior of the bath material, and compares the mechanical properties of printed specimens. The results demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating elastomeric, biocompatible materials into REAM, enabling the fabrication of complex, compliant structures. |