Synthetic Polymers for HME-Based 3D Printing

This chapter focuses on synthetic polymers that have been used either individually or in combination as the matrix materials or plasticizers for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The polymers used for hot melt extrusion (HME) theoretically can be utilized for FDM 3D printing. However, the melt viscosity should be carefully considered as 3D printing is more limited by the printers where the printing tip orifice size is usually small. Plasticizers are usually combined with the matrix polymers to lower the melt viscosity and the printing temperature. Sometimes, functionalities are required to achieve different release patterns, for example, sustained release, delayed release, or instant release. In this chapter, the applications of Soluplus®, Kollidon® IR, Kollidon® SR, Kollidon® VA64, and soluble Kollidon® in FDM 3D printing are summarized.