Modelling of the mechanical behaviour of the photopolymerization processes of resins intended for additive manufacturing (AMT) using laserstereolithography: The influence on part quality

Abstract

This study presents a simplified model of the polymerization process of photo-cured epoxy resin, with the aim of finding theoretical values for the mechanical properties of the material in its transition stage from liquid to solid state, approximating these properties to a single figure at the instant of its gelation in the time denominated as tg. By evaluating a phenomenon observed during the fabrication of samples using a stereolithography additive manufacturing printer, it is hoped to fit a model that will replicate the mechanical forces undergone by the manufactured part. The introduction of new hypotheses to simplify the case under study will be tested by simulating these cases using the finite element method, taking the values obtained from previous publications that used experimental and analytical analysis so that the congruence of the results will be constant throughout the model. Finding these theoretical values will help develop future criteria for the feasibility of manufacturing the parts using laser stereolithography and therefore have a direct influence on the quality of the end part.