Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences

First Advisor

Stephen Wood

Second Advisor

Ronnal Reichard

Third Advisor

Ilya Mingareev

Fourth Advisor

Richard B. Aronson

Abstract

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 3D printers, also known as Masked Stereolithography Apparatus (MSLA), is a type of vat polymerization printing technique that cures liquid resin into a solid object. This technique is relatively new. Consequently, there is a shortage of detailed research on the impact of long-term environmental exposure on the MSLA-printed materials. The research within this document informs engineers and scientists of resin compressive properties after extended exposure to saltwater and ultraviolet (UV) light. Saltwater absorption of the material was analyzed at atmospheric pressure, 30-psi, 60-psi, and 90-psi; the samples reached saturation in saltwater after 56 days. The variation in pressure did not significantly affect the compressive properties. On average, saltwater immersion samples, compared to control samples, caused Young’s modulus to decrease by 18.52% and yield strength to decrease by 52.2%. The post-processing UV cure times tested independently of saltwater absorption were 6-, 15-, 30-, 60-, 120-, and 240-minutes. The compressive properties reached a plateau as the cure time approached 240-minutes. For all samples, the resin supplier source and the quality of the washing solution were varied. However, this did not significantly impact most compressive property results. The effects of saltwater immersion and UV cure on the material properties of MSLA resin are significant and should be considered for designs that are exposed to similar conditions.

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