Post-Processing of Additive Manufacturing Functional Polymeric Parts: Influence on Surface, Dimensional Quality and Mechanical Performance

Additive manufacturing has garnered significant attention due to its remarkable design flexibility, reduced waste material, and accelerated production times, establishing itself as a preferred choice in various industries. However, when compared to conventional manufacturing processes, the surface and dimensional quality of final parts produced through additive manufacturing still pose a considerable challenge. This limitation can be effectively addressed through post-processing techniques, which enhance the quality of additive manufacturing parts by minimizing deficiencies that cannot be fully resolved through pre-printing parameter optimization alone. This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of current post-processing techniques specifically tailored for functional polymeric parts fabricated via additive manufacturing. The primary focus is on examining the impact of chemical, thermal, and mechanical post-processing techniques on the surface and dimensional quality, as well as the mechanical performance, of these parts. To provide practical insights, particular attention is given to evaluating the effects of these techniques on Ultem™ 9085, a high-performance polymer widely suitable for diverse applications. Ultimately, this study aims to offer valuable recommendations for the application and scalability of post-processing techniques in industrial settings.