Locking of sub micron 3D printed weld morphologies via interfacial stereocomplex crystallization in Fast Scanning Chip calorimetry.

Incomplete macromolecular mixing and (re-)entangling across weld interfaces cause inferior weld mechanics transverse to the print direction. As solution we have proposed interfacial stereocomplex (SC) crystallization, but the increased mechanical activation energy of SC-PLA entails mechanical embrittlement. We synthesized new copolymers that upon melt crystallization give enhanced control of ductility via phase separation and interfacial SC crystallization. By combining a nanofocused beam and fast scanning chip calorimeter giving submicron spatial and msec temporal resolution, we aim to answer the question how molecular and blend composition, phase separation in the melt, and cold crystallization during heating in pre-recorded printing profiles direct morphology evolution and later mechanical performance.