What is a disadvantage associated with vat photopolymerization?

The correct answer identifies a disadvantage of vat photopolymerization as it tends to use build materials that are weaker than those used in other additive manufacturing processes. In vat photopolymerization, photopolymer resins are cured layer by layer using light. While this process can produce highly detailed and intricate designs, the materials commonly used can lack the strength and durability found in metals or thermoplastics used in other additive manufacturing techniques.

Often, the photopolymers can be brittle and may not withstand high stresses or impacts, which limits their applications, especially in functional or load-bearing parts. Thus, while they excel in creating fine details and high resolution, their mechanical properties may be insufficient for certain applications compared to the materials utilized in different AM techniques, such as selective laser sintering or fused deposition modeling.

The other options touch on attributes of vat photopolymerization that may have varying implications but do not directly address the inherent material property disadvantage as specified in the question.