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So it just needs energy to solidify? Would heat also work? So the molecules that it's made of up combine into new molecules that are solid? Do you know what

So it just needs energy to solidify? Would heat also work? So the molecules that it's made of up combine into new molecules that are solid? Do you know what the chemical reaction is?

sp332 14y ago
Not sure about the exact chemistry but I think there are actually two exposures, one to harden the shape after which the unused material is removed, and then another higher one to make it less sticky or "detackify" it. Here's a paper from 1995 explaining the chemistry http://195.37.231.82/publications/pac/pdf/1995/pdf/6701x0025.pdf http://195.37.231.82/publications/pac/pdf/1995/pdf/6701x0025...
lepton 14y ago
If "heat" is from a low-energy source, like an infrared lamp, then no it won't work. You need the individual photons to have enough energy.
ErikHuisman 14y ago
Watch this movie for a brief introduction on quantum states. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJBcXFsFa7Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJBcXFsFa7Y I've also googled around and found this picture explaining what is called uv curing. http://www.signindustry.com/flatbed_UV/articles/images/2008-11-UV_Ink_Reaction_to_.gif http://www.signindustry.com/flatbed_UV/articles/images/2008-... So basically the uv light is kicking the electrons up multiple levels in the "photoinitiators", the "photoinitiators" stabilize by dropping levels and giving off photons. These photons excite the "Monomers" and "Oligomers" between which electrons can freely flow (radicals) making it possible to form new bonds, creating longer chains of atoms (a polymer) /amateurexplenation