Thermal annealing as a post-process for additively manufactured Ultem 9085 parts

Additive manufacturing techniques constitute a promising field of expansion for many modern industries that want to provide highly specific, on-demand product solutions. In fused filament fabrication (FFF), a thermoplastic filament is heated in a liquefier chamber, extruded, and deposited in thin roads, creating layers that enable the production of complex geometries. Nevertheless, interlayer bonding deficiencies result in parts that suffer from anisotropic mechanical properties and poor superficial integrity. The present work aims to study the effects of a novel post-processing technique based on the annealing of FFF Ultem 9085 parts over their glass transition temperature. The effects of time, temperature, and a pressurized environment are evaluated following a design of experiments methodology. Taguchi's L₁₈orthogonal array is used to estimate the contribution of each studied factor on the responses being assessed. Findings of this contribution include enhanced mechanical performance of the treated samples against flexural loads and improved surface roughness.