Nanowire enhanced dimensional accuracy in acrylate resin-based 3D printing

Abstract

3D printing, as a type of additive manufacturing, has offered great potential for creating sophisticated geometric shapes compared to traditional processing techniques. Here, we report a nanowire-based photopolymerizable resin with enhanced printing accuracy and improved long-term accuracy, which are of paramount importance to liquid resin-based 3D printing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the as-prepared boehmite and γ-Al₂O₃ nanowires. Curing depth and prototype printing were used to better understand the mechanism of nanowire incorporation enhanced printing accuracy. Meanwhile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile tests results showed reinforced thermal mechanical properties. This report offers a promising approach to improve both printing accuracy and mechanical properties of the printed objects for current liquid resin-based 3D printing technologies.