Mechanical Properties of the Stereolithography Resin with Different Printing Configurations.

Abstract

In the 3D printer market, there are several types of printing; among those found in the middle are fused filament deposition printing and stereolithography. In stereolithography, layers of resin are solidified employing UV rays. Each manufacturer offers different types of resins that react to light exposure. These usually have very general values in terms of their mechanical strength, with varying properties depending on the printing configurations. For this reason, the user, in many cases, must make trial and error prints to obtain the best possible printing configuration, generating expenses and waste of material. This research proposes establishing the appropriate printing parameters to obtain the best mechanical properties of the prototypes printed in the digital light process stereolithography printer of the Universidad Tecnica del Norte. A specimen fabrication process based on the ASTM D638 standard is established, in which the main printing configurations are varied, such as printing orientation, layer thickness, and light exposure time. Experimental tensile tests obtain deformation stress-strain curves. From this, the behavior of the printed material is obtained as linear elastic-fragile. The results obtained are compared concerning the maximum stress and strain, and the modulus of elasticity is calculated. The most suitable printing parameters are proposed to obtain the best results in stereolithography printing for the construction of functional prototypes.