Assessment of the surface and structure of elements produced in additive manufacturing technology after chemical treatment

Abstract

Samples made of ABS material were produced on devices from three different manufacturers: Stratasys, Velleman, 3Novatica. The quality of the printed surface was improved by vaporization with acetone vapours. Roughness measurements were performed, which proved the improvement of the surface after vaporization. The structure of the produced samples was also tested using a computer microtomography. It has been shown that excessive exposure to the solvent significantly changes the geometrical dimensions of models exposed to the vaporization process.