FDM is a widely used additive manufacturing process, however, it has some limitations, such as surface finish, due to the staircase effect caused by the layer-by-layer deposition. Studies have been conducted on surface finish of ABS parts with the use of acetone, but the process parameters and the resulting effects have not been fully investigated in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acetone vapor smoothing process on surface finish and geometric accuracy of fused deposition modeling ABS parts. Specimens with different geometries were created and printed using two directions in different scales. The parts were exposed to acetone vapor for 20, 30 and 40 minutes. 3D deviation maps, roughness and microscopic analyses were conducted. The staircase effect was reduced at the expense of some geometric deviations, which varied according to the exposure time and part orientation. The smoothing process applied to the flat surfaces proved to be quite effective in reducing roughness by 90%, however, this reduction led to an undesirable rounding of the sharp edges. The results obtained in this study are consistent with those found in the literature and may help improve the quality of the ABS printed parts.

Os materiais celulares possuem propriedades interessantes para aplicação no design. Dentre os mais conhecidos destacam-se a cortiça e alternativas poliméricas sintéticos bioinspirados no material natural. Contudo, pouco tem sido estudado em termos da relação entre a microestrutura e propriedades para aplicações no design de produto. Esta pesquisa apresenta a caracterização e comparação de materiais celulares através de um estudo de caso de rolhas, com foco na seleção de materiais, e relacionando a densidade relativa e porosidade das amostras com as técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), termogravimetria (TGA) e ensaios de compressão. As análises foram realizadas em amostras de rolhas confeccionadas fora do Brasil em cortiça natural e aglomerada, e de alternativas sintéticas de polipropileno expandido e EVA. As imagens via MEV apresentam a replicação do padrão celular da cortiça nas alternativas sintéticas. Os ensaios de compressão foram relacionados e discutidos quanto às propriedades mecânicas e à característica celular dos materiais. Foi, também, discutido como a microestrutura dos materiais celulares, sejam naturais ou sintéticos, reflete diretamente nas suas propriedades termomecânicas, bem como considerações na seleção de materiais para projetos de design. Foi possível concluir, ainda, que a análise por TGA mostrou a cortiça natural como um material mais homogêneo em comparação com a aglomerada, já as amostras sintéticas apresentaram-se mais resistentes à degradação térmica.

This study aimed to develop equipment to sail cloth life cycle assessment. Analytical screenings of testing sample were carried out using FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed), SEM (Scanning electron microscope-desktop) and VIVID 9i (3d laser scanner). The comparison between virgin and discarded materials was used to validate the test results. A wind tunnel prototype was built to assess fabric stretch. The test results showed a difference in curvature between both materials. In addition to this analysis, the SEM images revealed that when the threads are stretched they tend to form a pocket, which may have a negative effect on sailing performance. However, discarded materials can be used on boats for nautical sports training or recreational activities. These results can be useful in the design of products for material life cycle assessment and their application in sailing and related fields.