Coconut Fibre Reinforced Photopolymer Composites via Stereolithography: Feasibility and Mechanical Performance

The growing demand for sustainable materials has driven interest in bio-based composites for additive manufacturing (AM). This study explores the feasibility of incorporating untreated coconut fibres into commercial photopolymer resins for stereolithography (SLA). Coconut fibres were extracted, processed, and integrated at varying concentrations into resin formulations, followed by fabrication of ASTM D638 Type IV specimens using a desktop SLA printer and UV post-curing. Mechanical characterization included tensile testing to assess Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break, complemented by microscopy of fracture surfaces to evaluate fibre dispersion and failure mechanisms. Results indicate good compatibility between coconut fibres and photopolymer resin, with mechanical performance strongly influenced by fibre content. These findings highlight the potential of coconut fibre-reinforced photopolymer composites as sustainable alternatives for AM applications.