Photopolymers used for 3D printing are one of several polymeric materials on the consumer goods market containing large amounts of antimony. Photopolymers utilize antimony as a photoinitiator in the polymerization reaction. Antimony is a toxic heavy metal whose environmental concentration and atmospheric flux has recently been found to be increasing. With the projected growth in the 3D printing industry, the health and safety aspects associated with antimony-containing photopolymers and the safe disposal of 3D-printed models are a concern. The antimony content of three different types of polymeric materials (photopolymers, polyethylene, and brake pads) is compared. Leaching tests were conducted on photopolymers used for stereolithographic 3D printing. These epoxy resins contain up to 10% by weight antimony compounds. Results indicate that up to 3% of the total antimony contained in the material may be leached over the standard test duration of 20 hours.
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