What type of polymer is exclusively used in material jetting and vat photopolymerization AM processes?

The correct answer is thermoset polymers, which are commonly utilized in material jetting and vat photopolymerization additive manufacturing processes. Thermoset polymers can undergo a curing process that transforms them from a liquid or malleable state into a hardened, inflexible form. This property is particularly beneficial in additive manufacturing, where parts need to exhibit durability and resistance to deformation under stress.

In material jetting, thermoset polymers are deposited layer by layer, cured by ultraviolet light, and this reaction ensures that the material retains its shape and strength as it solidifies. Similarly, in vat photopolymerization, a liquid resin that is typically thermosetting is cured by light to create solid parts layer by layer. The choice of thermosets in these processes allows for high-resolution, detailed features, as well as enhanced mechanical properties critical for various applications.

Thermoplastic polymers and elastomers, while widely used in other manufacturing methods, do not share the same curing characteristics found in thermosets and are less commonly associated with these additive manufacturing techniques. Biopolymers, often derived from renewable resources, also have their applications but do not fit the specific context of material jetting and vat photopolymerization processes typically focused on thermosets