Material modelling of uv curing polymers for additive manufacturing processes

This contribution focuses on the experimental investigation and material modelling of the crosslinking of UV curing polymers used in additive manufacturing processes such as dig- ital light processing and stereolithography. First photocalorimetric measurements with varying temperature and light intensity are shown. From the exothermic specific heat flows measured during the crosslinking reaction, the degree of cure can be determined for each experimental scenario. It is shown that the test temperature and light intensity have a significant influence on the crosslinking reaction. A first modelling approach for the mathematical description of the crosslinking reaction is pre- sented. Moreover, parameter identification of the proposed model is conducted using the com- mercial optimisation program LS-OPTQR