Multi-layered Composites Using Photolithography

The mechanical properties of the parts made using solid freeform fabrication technologies are limited by their resins used. Previous research has shown that the mechanical properties of these parts can be enhanced substantially by using glass and fiber reinforcements. However, all of the published data is for single layered composites, which does not demonstrate its feasibility to manufacture multilayered real objects. In this paper experiments carried out to build multi-layered parts with glass fiber tow as reinforcement in a matrix of photopolymeric resin are described. These specimens are then tested in uniaxial tension and three point bending to determine their improvement in mechanical properties. The experimental data shows that the tensile strength and tensile modulus increased linearly with the volume fraction of the fiber in the composite, thus demonstrating that the trends observed in single layer composites can be also seen in multi-layered composites.