Non-Destructive Porosity Measurements of 3D Printed Polymer by Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Applied Sciences

GianLuc Lui¹  Marian Florescu¹  Gian Savvides²  Fawwaz Alshareef²  Patrick Flanigan²  Ruth Ann Mullen²  Mira Naftaly³ 

[1] Department of Physics, Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;Etaphase, Inc., 8201 164th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052, USA;National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK;

关键词: 3D printing;    PETG polymer;    THz time-domain spectroscopy;    porosity;    homogeneity;    non-destructive testing;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app12020927

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The porosity and inhomogeneity of 3D printed polymer samples were examined using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, and the effects of 3D printer settings were analysed. A set of PETG samples were 3D printed by systematically varying the printer parameters, including layer thickness, nozzle diameter, filament (line) thickness, extrusion, and printing pattern. Their effective refractive indices and loss coefficients were measured and compared with those of solid PETG. Porosity was calculated from the refractive index. A diffraction feature was observed in the loss spectrum of all 3D printed samples and was used as an indication of inhomogeneity. A “sweet spot” of printer settings was found, where porosity and inhomogeneity were minimised.

【 授权许可】

Unknown