Stereolithography-based 3D printed photosensitive polymer/boron nitride nanoplatelets composites

Photosensitive polymer-based boron nitride nanoplatelets (PSP/BNNP) composites are fabricated via stereolithography (SLA) three-dimensional (3D) printing technique. The influence of the BNNP addition on the curing, and the resulting microhardness, damping, and compressive strength is evaluated in composites with 0, 0.5, and 1 wt% BNNP. Damping response in 1 wt% BNNP composites was found to exhibit loss tangent (tan delta) values 2x higher than pure PSP (0.07-0.17). Enhanced damping properties in composites are attributed to the interfacial shearing and sliding of BNNP. The potential of BNNP as a reinforcement in SLA 3D printing scaffolds is shown by a 23.8% increase in compressive yield strength in 1 wt% BNNP as compared to 0.5 wt% BNNP. It is observed that interaction of the nanoparticles with the laser wavelength during the curing process is of prime importance in the successful manufacturing of 3D printed structures with improved functional properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:379-388, 2019. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers