Structure-property relationship of nano enhanced stereolithography resin for desktop SLA 3D printer

Organically modified nanofillers, including nano SiO2, montmorillonite and attapulgite were loaded to stereolithography resin (SLR). The surface of nanofillers were modified using organic modifier of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (γ-MPS) and (1-hexadecyl)dimethyl allyl ammonium chloride (C16-DMAAC), and were characterized by FTIR and small angle XRD analysis. The morphology of nanocomposites were observed by TEM. Viscosity and curing speed of SLR nanocomposites at increasing nanofillers loading were also studied. The mechanical properties of printed samples fabricated by a home-made stereolithography apparatus (SLA) 3D printer were tested. The influence of nanoparticles on the accuracy was measured and discussed. It was found that addition of 5% w/w of nano SiO2 increased the tensile strength and modulus by 20.6% and 65.1% respectively, and the printed accuracy was not significantly influenced. This study opens the way to the application of nanocomposites in the desktop level SLA 3D printing.