Thermal Performance in Vat-Photopolymerised Polymers: HDT, Tg, Post-Cure and High-Temperature Qualification
Segurola, Juan
2026-08-21 · Report · Version 1.2
Thermal performance of VPP polymers emerges from network architecture and the cure history imposed by printing, washing and post-curing. HDT, Tg and dynamic-mechanical transitions are related but non-equivalent metrics, and their numerical values depend on test method, applied stress, heating rate, frequency, specimen state and conditioning. Recent work on hot-lithography, heat-assisted VPP, high-viscosity systems and high-Tg interpenetrating networks shows that print temperature and cure strategy can modify conversion, shrinkage, modulus and thermal response. This review develops a qualification framework that separates material transition temperatures from load-bearing service performance, distinguishes printing temperature from final-use temperature, and requires thermal ageing to be coupled with retained mechanical and dimensional measurements. A minimum reporting set is proposed for high-temperature VPP studies. Commercial 3Dresyns high-HDT grades are included only as implementation examples and not as evidence for universal high-temperature suitability.