@article{article_1616786, title={Investigation of SiO2 Nanoparticle Reinforced Epoxy Composites Produced by Additive Manufacturing: Effect of Silanization on Conversion Degree and Mechanical Properties}, journal={Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi}, volume={4}, pages={12–20}, year={2025}, DOI={10.69560/cujast.1616786}, author={Özler, Berk and Yıldırım, Serdar}, keywords={Additive manufacturing, nanocomposite, silanization, mechanical properties, conversion degree}, abstract={3D printers have revolutionized many areas such as aviation, dentistry, health, construction, food, pharmacy and tissue engineering by forming the basis of additive manufacturing technology. These devices, which work by adding material layer by layer, combine with CAD software to enable the rapid and efficient production of complex designs. DLP printers in the photochemical category stand out in medical applications by polymerizing photosensitizer resins with UV light. While inorganic fillers in these resins increase mechanical properties, excessive use can increase viscosity and reduce printing performance. Although SiO2 nanoparticles increase transparency and durability, their tendency to clump negatively affects mechanical properties. By coating the surface of these particles with the silanization method, they are better bonded with the resin, thus improving the integrity and mechanical strength of the structure. In this study, the aim is to investigate the effects of the silanization process on the mechanical properties and conversion degree of particles in epoxy composite materials reinforced with SiO2 nanoparticles. For this purpose, nanoparticles synthesized by the sol-gel method and subjected to the silane coating process were added to the epoxy resin at different rates and produced with a DLP type 3D printer. In the study, critical parameters such as the compatibility of coated and uncoated nanoparticles with the resin matrix, the viscosity properties of the material, mechanical strength and conversion degree were evaluated with detailed analyses. The obtained results aimed to reveal the effect of silane coating on increasing the performance of the material and to show the potential of this technology in application areas such as medicine, dentistry and tissue engineering.}, number={1}, publisher={Sivas Cumhuriyet University}, organization={Dokuz Eylul University, Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship with the project code 2021.KB.FEN.046.}