Influence of the washing protocol on the dimensional accuracy of a resin for 3D printed models

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of alcohol type and post-printing washing time on the dimensional accuracy of a resin for 3D printed models.

Methods: The samples were fabricated using ArmaResin model resin (Arma Dental) with a Halot Sky 3D printer (Creality). After printing, they were divided into six groups based on the washing agent (96% ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol) and the washing time applied (2, 5, and 10 minutes) (n=5). They were then post-cured for 10 minutes. A UW-02 washer/curer (Creality) was used for washing and post-curing. Dimensional accuracy was evaluated by taking four measurements along each of the three spatial axes of printing (X/Y/Z), and the average measurement for each axis was used as the experimental unit. Data were expressed in millimeters. A two-way ANOVA (α=0.05) was performed for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean and SD for the X/Y/Z axes were: [Alcohol 96] 2 min: 19.755(0.014)/19.779(0.073)/20.204(0.036), 5 min: 19.761(0.027)/19.754(0.057)/20.213(0.035), 10 min: 19.748(0.007)/19.742(0.045)/20.266(0.036); [Isopropyl] 2 min: 19.739(0.045)/19.763(0.017)/20.198(0.036), 5 min: 19.772(0.069)/19.789(0.047)/20.196(0.043), 10 min: 19.336(1.020)/19.761(0.021)/20.648(1.026). The ANOVA analysis showed no significant differences for the variables alcohol and time or their interaction (p>0.05).

Conclusions: The washing protocols evaluated did not significantly modify the dimensional accuracy of 3D resin printing for ArmaResin models.