Selection of carbon particles with different shape, size and concentration as additives in a stereolithographic resin

AbstractStereolithography (SLA) as one of the additive manufacturing processes provides new approaches towards high design flexibility and fast prototyping. In the last years, the variety of different resins is highly enhanced towards polymers that meet high requirements – mechanical, optical and thermal properties as well as electroconductivity. To our knowledge, direct electroplating is not investigated so far. The aim of our work is the development of a composite material that is able to be processed by stereolithography and that provides the electroconductivity for direct electroplating. Direct electroplating highly improves the process of electroplating on polymers because of less process steps and the avoidance of toxic chemicals. With regard to material efficiency and saving resources, direct electroplating may be more environmental than the established industrial process of electroplating on polymers. A commercially available synthetic resin is our base material. Electroconductive filler are graphitic particles with different shapes and sizes. By varying the additives content, the effects on homogeneity and viscosity of the composite resin, its hardenability and the electrical resistance of the manufactured samples are investigated.