What is a photocurable resin?
Photocurable resin (PPF/DEF) was polymerized using a stereolithography system (Lee et al., 2007). PPF is an unsaturated linear polyester that has carbon–carbon double bond cross-linking (Peter et al., 1998). It is degradable by simple hydrolysis of the ester bonds and its product is nontoxic (He et al., 2001).
How does photosensitive resin work?
When the photosensitive resin is cured, the monomers and binding agents form longer molecules, chaining together and cross-linking. They react until light exposure is halted or all of the constituent chemicals have reacted to form the final hardened resin.
What is photopolymer resin made of?
The mixture consists of monomeric styrene and oligomeric acrylates. Most commonly, photopolymerized systems are typically cured through UV radiation, since ultraviolet light is more energetic.
What is the energy source used to cause photopolymerization of the resin in a SLA system?
An ultraviolet light beam shines through the window, illuminating the precise cross-section of the object. The light causes the resin to solidify (photopolymerize).
What kind of resin is used for 3D printing?
The kind of resin used in 3D printing is called photopolymer resin, which is a liquid that turns into plastic through a chemical reaction with UV light. Some people confuse epoxy resin with 3D printing resin, but that is a fundamentally different type of material. Gray photopolymer resin is the most popular color.
How do photopolymers work?
How Does Photopolymerization Work? Photopolymerization works by leveraging the UV-sensitive properties of photopolymer materials. For most 3D printing processes, layers of deposited material are cured via a UV light. After the 3D printer has completed a layer, a UV light is projected over it.
Can you melt photopolymer resin?
Photopolymers are either thermoplastics, which melt at high temperature, thermosets, meaning they can’t be melted or reshaped once cured by heat.
What plastic is UV resin?
A large number of UV-curable resins are commercially available including polyesters, epoxies, urethanes, silicones and polyethers. The majority of these resins are free-radical curing acrylic-functionalized oligomers which usually cure in a matter of seconds but only in the presence of radiation.
Is photopolymer resin toxic?
Photopolymer plastic In its liquid form, 3D printing resin is non toxic if ingested (though please don’t). Though non-toxic, liquid 3D printing resin is classified a sensitizer. This means that if you are exposed to it for long enough, you may develop mild allergic reactions to it.
What is photopolymerization process?
Photopolymerization is the curing process that’s characterized by the use of ultraviolet (UV) light. In 3D printing, it’s used to cure the deposited material. When exposed to UV light, the deposited material cures.
What polymers are used in SLA?
Selective Laser Sintering SLS typically uses polyamide (nylon) powders, with PA11 and PA12 being the two most commonly used polyamides, in addition to flexible TPU material. However, companies are continually adding new material offerings.
How toxic is resin 3D printing?
They can create contact dermatitis, which is a surface rash that could develop into an allergy if you expose yourself to resin for long periods of time. Resins also naturally give off fumes, and unless you work in a well-ventilated area, molecules from the fumes will get into your lungs and cause irritation there, too.
What are the components of photocurable resin?
Photocurable resins typically consist of a photoinitiator for initiation of the cross-linking (or solidification) reaction, monomers or oligomers as main components, reactive diluents, and various additives for other purposes.
What are the recent breakthroughs in composite resin technology?
One of the most important breakthroughs in composite resin technology was the development of photocurable resin material. This was followed by the development of reduced filler particle size and increased filler loading which significantly improved the universal applicability of light-cured composite resins.
Can I use traditional stereolithography resins in μ SL systems?
In general, the photocurable resins traditionally used in stereolithography systems could also be used in μ SL systems. However, it should be noted that traditional stereolithography resins are not designed for use in μ SL so the result cannot be accurately predicted.