Term of Award

Fall 2025

Degree Name

Master of Science in Applied Engineering (M.S.A.E.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Manufacturing Engineering

Committee Chair

Kamran Kardel

Committee Member 1

Rafael Quirino

Committee Member 2

Haijun Gong

Abstract


Abstract

This research explores the development of bio resin from linseed oil by the process of epoxidation and acrylation to produce acrylated epoxidized linseed oil (AELO). Lignin and cellulose biopolymers were added as reinforcement at varying weight fractions of 1 wt.%, 2.5 wt.%, and 5 wt.%, and their mechanical performance was compared against pure AELO. The formulations were printed using an Elegoo SLA 3D printer to create standardized test specimens like tensile bars, compression cylinders, and hardness blocks, which were all prepared according to the ASTM testing standard.

The results indicate that reinforcement effects depend on both filler type and loading, and the benefits are not uniform across loading modes. Cellulose appears to provide the most consistent improvement in tensile performance. A.C 5 wt.% produced statistically significant increases in Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of 80.75 MPa and 6.962 MPa, respectively. Compression behavior was less favorable. Neat AELO achieved the highest ultimate compressive strength at 44.97 MPa, while the best reinforced specimen is A.C 5 wt.% at 37.82 MPa. This contrast may suggest that the microstructural changes that raise tensile stiffness and strength, such as altered crosslink density, particle agglomeration, or interfacial effects, can also promote earlier compressive failure. For stiffness in compression, higher lignin loading appeared beneficial, with A.L 5 wt.% reaching 79.28 MPa. Surface hardness increased with reinforcement as well, from 43.6 ± 1.7 for AELO to 51 ± 1 for A.L 5 wt.%.

This research highlights the potential of AELO-based resins reinforced with cellulose and lignin as viable photopolymers for SLA printing where sustainability is a priority. The data from this research points to some trade off that should be taken note of during material selection for engineering and medical applications.

INDEX WORDS: Acrylated Epoxidized Linseed Oil, Bio-based Resin, Photopolymer, Vat photopolymerization, Stereolithography (SLA), Cellulose, Lignin, 3D Printing, Mechanical characterization and Chemical characterization.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

Yes

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