YouTuber shows simple trick to make resin 3D prints 40% stronger

Components made from UV-curing resins using stereolithography (SLA) are often considered brittle. However, as a test by CNC Kitchen shows, the strength of the material can be significantly increased – through thermal post-treatment in a temperature-controlled oven.

After printing, SLA components are washed and fully cured under UV radiation. However, this post-exposure does not lead to the maximum strength of the plastic material. In composite production, it is common practice for epoxy resin components to undergo additional final hardening in the oven after UV curing.

CNC Kitchen printed cylinder samples to investigate the influence of such post-curing on SLA prints. These were then post-treated at room temperature and at up to 80°C. Tensile tests showed a significant increase in strength as a result of heat curing: the samples treated at 80°C had a tensile strength of 68 MPa, 41% higher than those exposed to room temperature.

Temperature curing apparently triggers further chemical cross-linking reactions in the resin, which lead to a more compact molecular structure and higher strength. However, the effect depends on the material, as the manufacturer’s specifications also show. Users should determine the optimum curing parameters for the resin they are using. Nevertheless, the YouTuber’s test shows an untapped potential for SLA materials.