Estudo das Propriedades Mecânicas e de Superfície de Componentes para Aplicações em Ótica Obtidos por Impressão 3D

July 16, 2026

Additive Manufacturing has expanded significantly over recent decades, accompanied by the development of techniques with specific applications. Owing to their ability to produce components with a high degree of surface finish, photopolymerization-based processes, particularly Stereolithography (SLA), are of particular relevance in optical applications. This dissertation aimed to characterize the mechanical and surface properties of components for optical applications produced by 3D printing, evaluating the influence of printing parameters and surface treatments on final quality. Five experimental tests were carried out — surface roughness, tribological behaviour, hardness, tensile and flexural — under different post-processing conditions and printing orientations. The roughness values fell within the requirements for optical applications. In the tribological tests, increasing the sliding speed reduced the coefficient of friction between the sample and the counterbody. Hardness was higher for coated samples with longer curing times. In the tensile and flexural tests, printing orientation and curing time proved to be decisive factors: tensile properties were superior for the vertical orientation, whereas in flexure the horizontally printed samples showed better performance. This inversion confirms the anisotropy introduced by the layer-by-layer building process, there being no orientation that is favourable in absolute terms, but rather the one best suited to the type of loading envisaged. The results indicate that SLA, combined with appropriate surface treatments, produces components with surface and mechanical quality compatible with optical applications, provided that printing and post-processing parameters are properly optimized.

Authors in the community:

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  E

  Eurico Joaquim José Tomás

  ist1104682

Supervisors of this institution:

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  L

  Luís Filipe Galrão dos Reis

  ist13987

mechanical-engineering - Mechanical engineering

por - Portuguese

Instituto Superior Técnico