| Abstract Scope |
Digital light processing (DLP) stereolithography enables the precise fabrication of polymer components, but acrylate-based printed substrates have limited mechanical performance and reduced interfacial stability at elevated temperatures. This limitation is critical for metalized parts, where a mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the polymer substrate and the nickel coating can promote coating failure. This study develops a photocurable nanocomposite resin reinforced with nanosilica and hydroxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve the mechanical, electrical, and thermal performance of DLP-printed substrates. The resin system consists of bisphenol A epoxy diacrylate as the base oligomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate as the reactive diluent. Nanosilica served as the thermally stable particulate phase, while OH-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes were varied as the conductive reinforcement. Rheological, thermal, microstructural, and electrical behavior was evaluated using viscosity testing, thermomechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and resistivity measurements for printed nanocomposite coupons. |