Electromagnetic properties of 3D printing materials

Abstract

Additive manufacturing, or commonly referred to as 3D printing, is an emerging technology in the modern world with many applications available across different industries. The concept has also been implemented on smaller scales such as for hobby projects or academia thanks to its increasing accessibility. However, many 3D printing materials do not have adequate information regarding their electromagnetic properties, which is necessary to users having electricity-related ideas and academic institutions teaching electrical engineering. Therefore, this thesis focuses on testing for those properties of common 3D printing materials in FabLab Tampere at Tampere University, Hervanta campus. The thesis tests the relative permittivity of two 3D printing materials PETG and ASA by using them as dielectrics in parallel-plate capacitors and measuring the capacitors’ capacitance. Other electromagnetic properties were left outside the scope of this thesis as it was decided to focus on the relative permittivity. Testing is conducted in different environments (simulation using available referenced studies and real-life measurement using printed models) under different conditions (changing density of dielectric solids) for thorough testing of the relevant values with final conclusive comparisons after the results are gathered.

The test was successful with the acquired values closely following the referenced values of available studies, providing reliable information about electromagnetic properties of those materials. This also implies the potential of further testing on the remaining materials for conclusive data for FabLab Tampere.