3D Printing of Urethane Dimethacrylate with Nanoclay for Enhanced Curing Properties via Stereolithography

Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing technology that stands out because of its high dimensional accuracy and resolution, excellent surface finish, versatile modification of feedstock chemistry, and low cost of its printers. SLA uses an ultraviolet laser to trace and illuminate a light pattern onto a layer of photocurable resin. However, its disadvantages are the requirement of support structures, use of hazardous resins, the feedstock is limited to curable materials, and the need for a faster curing time. This study aims to improve the curing time of acrylate-based photopolymer resin by adding nanoclay as an additive. Different concentrations of nanoclay, 1wt%, 3wt%, and 5wt%, were added to urethane dimethacrylate, and their curing behavior and mechanical properties were determined. In this study, 3wt% was the ideal concentration since it had better mechanical properties than the control and exhibited the best curing characteristic. This further confirmed that nanoclay is a favorable additive in the 3D printing of acrylate-based photopolymers, solving the concern for fabrication speed and enhancing the mechanical properties of the photopolymer.