Analysis of UV-Assisted direct ink writing rheological properties and curing degree

In this research, the relationship between the viscosity and curing degree of an acrylate-based resin under UV light was investigated by UV-rheometer and photo-DSC. The influences of different material compositions were studied with single-factor analysis. Viscosity and heat flow measurements were carried out to identify the relative states of the curing and to evaluate the material curing behavior by quantitative analysis. Different intensities were used to observe the effects on viscosity and curing degree. The findings of this work reveal the correlation between the relative curing degree and viscosity, which is divided into two parts depending on the light intensity. The correlated curve follows second-order polynomial under higher intensities, while the lower intensity follows a Gauss distribution. From the results, the relative curing degree is estimated by observing the viscosity of the resin system during the process. The critical curing degree was also determined to identify the resin phase transfer from the liquid to solid. •Investigated the rheological and thermal properties of a fast curing UV curing resin.•The effects of light intensity on resin initiation time were discussed.•The correlated relationship between viscosity and curing degree was discussed quantitatively.