3D Printed Sandstone Strength: Curing of Furfuryl Alcohol Resin-Based Sandstones

Abstract

Natural sedimentary rocks can be widely heterogeneous and often include discontinuities on many scales—no two samples are truly identical. This poses a major roadblock for geomechanical experiments since most of them are destructive in nature. Recent advances in additive manufacturing technology allow fabrication of identical sandstone analogs. The technology allows control over grain size, packing, mineralogy, cementing type and content, bedding orientation, and discontinuities. This article explored how curing temperature affects the strength of sand and furfuryl alcohol resin-based specimens. When cured at optimal oven temperature of 80°C, specimens reach unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 19.0 MPa with only 1.1 MPa in standard deviation. Additionally, this article determines a minimal number of UCS test repetitions required to reach a desired degree of confidence in the strength results. Outcomes of this study can be used as a guide in preparing and strength testing of furfuryl alcohol resin and sand powder-based 3D printed rocks.