Hyperbranched polyester improves the dispersion of <scp>SiO₂</scp> for enhancing the mechanical properties of <scp>DLP 3D</scp> printing <scp>polyurethane acrylate</scp>

Abstract Herein, we prepared the high‐strength polyurethane acrylate (PUA) composites by introducing the γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ‐MPS)‐modified SiO 2 (γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 ) and hyperbranched unsaturated polyester (U102) into PUA utilizing digital light processing 3D printing technology. Fourier transform infrared, 1 H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography provided evidence for the preparation of PUA and γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 . And U102 could improve the dispersion of γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 particles in PUA, which is conducive to improving the tensile strength, bending strength, and thermal stability of PUA composites. Compared with γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 /PUA, γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 /U102/PUA composites with tensile strength of 32.73 MPa and bending strength of 62.48 MPa can be obtained when the content of U102 is 10 wt%. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of PUA composites increased with the increase of γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 content. When the content of γ‐MPS‐SiO 2 particles is 20 wt%, T 5% , T 50% , and the residue at 650°C are increased by 36.81%, 2.31%, and 122.17%, respectively. The tensile and bending strengths were increased by 103.67% and 125.92%, respectively. This work provides a new way to improve the dispersibility of inorganic nanoparticles in polymers and the mechanical properties of photocurable 3D printing resin products. Highlights A high‐performance photocurable polyurethane acrylate has been synthesized. The hyperbranched unsaturated polyester has an excellent dispersing effect on SiO 2 . The mechanical properties of polyurethane acrylate composites were synergistically improved by the hyperbranched unsaturated polymer and SiO 2 particles.