| Abstract Scope |
Stereolithography(SLA) additive manufacturing provides high dimensional accuracy, fine surface finish, and a ~100 µm printing resolution, enabling complex geometries. However, the high coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE) and poor mechanical properties of commercial SLA resins restrict their use in high thermal gradient applications, such as aerospace. To address this, silicon carbide(SiC) nanoparticles(<80 nm, cubic) were incorporated into commercial SLA resins to produce low-CTE, mechanically enhanced photopolymers. Ultrasonication was employed to ensure homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion. Tensile and flexural properties were evaluated, demonstrating substantial improvement in mechanical properties. Nanoparticle dispersion was confirmed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and thermal properties were assessed using Thermo-Mechanical Analysis (TMA), indicating significant CTE reduction. The SiC-reinforced SLA resins exhibited improved dimensional stability, thermal resistance, and surface quality, making them suitable candidates for lightweight, thermally stable aerospace components operating under extreme conditions.*This research was partly supported by the Thesis Research Support Fellowship from Texas State University’s Graduate College. |