RESUMO A Impressão 3D baseada em extrusão se popularizou muito nos últimos anos devido ao surgimento de projetos de código aberto e máquinas de baixo custo, que tornaram a tecnologia acessível a todos os níveis de usuários. Paralelamente, novos materiais, em geral filamentos termoplásticos, são inseridos no mercado para aplicação neste tipo de técnica de fabricação, tornando cada vez mais necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos de caraterização experimentais dos materiais para fornecer dados técnicos aos utilizadores. Neste trabalho estudou-se o poli(tereftalato de etileno glicol) (PETG), polímero de recente adoção neste contexto, comparando-o ao poli(ácido lático) (PLA), o mais popular no âmbito da tecnologia. Ambos os materiais foram analisados mecanicamente à tração, através de amostras fabricadas por Impressão 3D variando os ângulos de deposição do material extrudado. Para a mesma análise, visando comparação, foram construídas peças por moldagem por injeção. Os materiais em seu estado inicial filamentar foram avaliados termicamente por TGA e DSC, e quimicamente por FTIR. As duas últimas técnicas de caracterização também foram aplicadas aos polímeros após o processamento por injeção e impressão. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as propriedades mecânicas à tração dos componentes impressos são fortemente influenciadas pela orientação dos filamentos depositados nas camadas e pela mesoestrutura das peças. O PLA dispõe de superioridade mecânica, maior tensão máxima e elevada rigidez em relação ao PETG, nas amostras injetadas e impressas. O PETG, por sua vez, demostrou ser um material mais resistente à degradação térmica, mais estável termicamente (por não apresentar alterações significativas em seu comportamento térmico após ser processado), e flexível, propriedade esta que o torna muito interessante para aplicações na Impressão 3D. Por fim, a estrutura química molecular dos polímeros foi semelhante à descrita em outros estudos da literatura e pouco alterada pelos processos de fabricação.

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the parameters of the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process on the mechanical properties and on the mass of parts printed in Polylactic Acid (PLA). In addition, the authors developed predictive models for the analysed responses. Design/methodology/approach A full Factorial type of experimental planning method was used to define the conditions for manufacturing parts according to the variation of the construction parameters, extrusion temperature and print speed. Samples were printed for tensile, flexion and compression tests. Their mass was measured. Multiple regression methods, based on power equations, were used to build the forecasting models. Findings It was found that the extrusion temperature was the parameter of greatest influence in the variation of the analysed responses, mainly because it generates behaviour patterns and indirectly demonstrates thermal/rheological characteristics of the material used. Print speed affects responses, however, with variations dependent on part geometry and printer hardware/software. It was possible to establish prediction models with low error rates in relation to the experimental values. Originality/value The study demonstrates a good relation between the use of a structured experimental planning method as the basis for the development of predictive models based on mathematical equations, the same structure of which can be used to describe different responses.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical performance of FFF parts when subjected to post processing thermal treatment. Therefore, a study of the annealing treatment influence on the mechanical properties was performed. For this, two different types of Nylon (PA12) were used, FX256 and CF15, being the second a short fibre reinforcement version of the first one. Design/methodology/approach In this study, tensile and flexural properties of specimens produced via FFF were determined after being annealed at temperatures of 135°C, 150°C or 165°C during 3, 6, 12 or 18 h and compared with the non-treated conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to determine the degree of crystallinity. To evaluate the annealing parameters’ influence on the mechanical properties, a full factorial design of experiments was developed, followed by an analysis of variance, as well as post hoc comparisons, to determine the most significative intervening factors and their effect on the results. Findings The results indicate that CF15 increased its tensile modulus, strength, flexural modulus and flexural strength around 11%, while FX256 presented similar values for tensile properties, doubling for flexural results. Flexural strain presented an improvement, indicating an increased interlayer behaviour. Concerning to the DSC analysis, an increase in the degree of crystallinity for all the annealed parts. Originality/value Overall, the annealing treatment process cause a significant improvement in the mechanical performance of the material, with the exception of 165°C annealed specimens, in which a decrease of the mechanical properties was observed, resultant of material degradation.

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Titanium aluminides are used in the aeronautical and automotive field as an alternative material to manufacture critical components exposed to high temperatures and corrosive environments. These alloys due to its intermetallic structure exhibit some special properties such as low density, high strength, high stiffness, corrosion resistance, and creep resistance. When these components are manufactured, surface integrity is one of the most relevant parameters used to evaluate the quality of the parts. Severe surface integrity problems are reported in the literature, defects such as microstructural alterations, work hardening, residual stresses, surface cracks, among others induced by the cutting process. The surface and sub-surface alteration induced by machining are critical because it will affect the parts performance. Some parameters affect the quality of machined surface. In particular cutting parameters, cutting tools material, tool wear and material properties are the most frequently investigated. Experimental and empirical studies are presented mainly in order to understand the surface integrity induced by machining. This paper provides an overview of the problems associated with the machining process of various types of titanium aluminides. The cutting tools, machining parameters, as well as processing parameters employed to improve machinability and reduce surface defects in titanium aluminides are analyzed and discussed. Particular focus was given to turning and milling process of gamma titanium aluminides. Also, some of the optimal parameters for machining titanium aluminides are presented offering a compilation of the most relevant information from the first to the most recent works that analyze the different aspects that affect the machining of these alloys.