High-performance medical-grade resin radically reinforced with cellulose nanofibers for 3D printing

The effect of Cellulose NanoFiber (CNF) addition to a medical-grade resin in Stereolithography (SLA) Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology is reported, aiming to elaborate an easily processable, highly stiff bio-compound. CNFs were shear stir blended at various weight ratios with liquid resin. The fabricated nanocomposite materials were introduced in an SLA 3D printer for specimens manufacturing. The mechanical performance was studied according to international standards. Charpy Toughness and Vickers microhardness were calculated for all tested materials. A microscopic and surface analysis was conducted on fractured tensile specimens by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), respectively. The thermal and thermomechanical properties were investigated by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Significant reinforcement of the medical-grade nanocomposites is reported, with the highest values calculated to be at 1.0 wt% concentration (more than 100% at the tensile strength), while brittleness and rigidity were increased.