Fabrication of composite polymers with micron size copper and graphite additives in masked stereolithography

Kaya A. C., Sandık M. H., Aşçıoğlu Temiztaş B.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH, vol.1, no.1, pp.1-14, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 1 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1557/s43578-024-01483-6
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-14
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Masked stereolithography makes the fabrication of complex parts more effortless and less expensive and enables high surface quality. We fabricated pure resin, flexible resin, resin-6.1-wt% graphite, and resin with Cu concentrations spanning from 5.5 to 15.5 wt% at different printing conditions. The structure was investigated with electron and light microscopes, and tensile testing of the printed sample was carried out. Resin temperature, post-curing temperature, and time are the dominating factors determining the strength of printed samples. Resin-Cu composite depicted a strengthening effect at 10 °C degrees resin and post-curing temperatures, but no strengthening effect was found for flexible resin-Cu composite at 20 °C degrees. Cu particles agglomerated, forming a density-graded composite; however, graphite particles distributed more homogenously in the parts. Increasing the graphite gradually reduces the composite strength. As a result, the mechanical properties of the composites are dominated by the interaction between the fillers and the matrix.