Three-dimensional (3d) printing

Abstract

In a three-dimensional printing method example, a polymeric or polymeric composite build material is applied. A fusing agent is applied on at least a portion of the build material. The fusing agent includes an aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle and an inorganic pigment dispersed in the aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle, wherein the inorganic pigment is selected from the group consisting of lanthanum hexaboride, tungsten bronzes, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, silver, gold, platinum, iron pyroxenes, modified iron phosphates (AxFeyPO4), modified copper pyrophosphates (AxCuyP2O7), and combinations thereof. The build material is exposed to electromagnetic radiation, thereby fusing the portion of the build material in contact with the fusing agent to form a layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional (3D) printing method, comprising:
 applying a polymeric or polymeric composite build material;   selectively applying a fusing agent on at least a portion of the polymeric or polymeric composite build material, the fusing agent including:
 an aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle; and 
 an inorganic pigment dispersed in the aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle, wherein the inorganic pigment is selected from the group consisting of lanthanum hexaboride, tungsten bronzes, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, silver, gold, platinum, iron pyroxenes, modified iron phosphates (A x Fe y PO 4 ), modified copper pyrophosphates (A x Cu y P 2 O 7 ), and combinations thereof; and 
   exposing the polymeric or polymeric composite build material to electromagnetic radiation, thereby fusing the portion of the polymeric or polymeric composite build material in contact with the fusing agent to form a layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the fusing agent includes the aqueous vehicle, and wherein the aqueous vehicle includes water, a co-solvent, an anti-kogation agent, a surfactant, a dispersing additive, a chelating agent, and a biocide. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2  wherein the fusing agent includes from about 25 wt % to about 50 wt % of a stock dispersion including the inorganic pigment. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 2  wherein the aqueous vehicle further includes a silane coupling agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the fusing agent includes from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the inorganic pigment. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the fusing agent includes from greater than 4.0 wt % to about 10 wt % of the inorganic pigment. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising incorporating a colorant into the aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein prior to selectively applying the fusing agent, the method further comprises heating the polymeric or polymeric composite build material to a temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 350° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the selectively applying the fusing agent is accomplished with an inkjet applicator. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the applying, selectively applying, and exposing to form a 3D part, wherein the 3D part is white. 
     
     
         11 . A three-dimensional (3D) printing system, comprising:
 a supply of polymeric or polymeric composite build material;   a build material distributor;   a supply of a fusing agent, the fusing agent including:
 an aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle; and 
 an inorganic pigment dispersed in the aqueous or non-aqueous vehicle, wherein the inorganic pigment is selected from the group consisting of lanthanum hexaboride, tungsten bronzes, indium tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, silver, gold, platinum, iron pyroxenes, modified iron phosphates (A x Fe y PO 4 ), modified copper pyrophosphates (A x Cu y P 2 O 7 ), and combinations thereof; 
   an inkjet applicator for selectively dispensing the fusing agent;   a controller; and   a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions to cause the controller to:
 utilize the build material distributor to dispense the build material; and 
 utilize the inkjet applicator to selectively dispense the fusing agent to form a three-dimensional part. 
   
     
     
         12 . The 3D printing system as defined in  claim 11  wherein the aqueous vehicle includes:
 a co-solvent present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 80 wt % based on a total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 an anti-kogation agent present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a surfactant present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a dispersing additive present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 200 wt % of the inorganic pigment; 
 a chelating agent present in an amount ranging from 0 wt % to about 1 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a biocide present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a silane coupling agent present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of the inorganic pigment; and 
 a balance of water. 
 
     
     
         13 . The 3D printing system as defined in  claim 12  wherein the fusing agent includes from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the inorganic pigment. 
     
     
         14 . The 3D printing system as defined in  claim 11  wherein the aqueous vehicle includes:
 a co-solvent present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 80 wt % based on a total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 an anti-kogation agent present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a surfactant present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a dispersing additive present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 200 wt % of the inorganic pigment; 
 a chelating agent present in an amount ranging from 0 wt % to about 1 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; 
 a biocide present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt % based on the total wt % of the fusing agent; and 
 a balance of water. 
 
     
     
         15 . The 3D printing system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the fusing agent includes from about 25 wt % to about 50 wt % of a stock dispersion including the inorganic pigment. 
     
     
         16 . The 3D printing system as defined in  claim 11  wherein the fusing agent further includes a colorant.