Estudo, preparação e aplicação de fibras ópticas poliméricas utilizando tecnologia de impressão 3D
Data
2018-03-05
Autores
Albino, Leonardo Vieira
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Editor
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
As tecnologias de impressão 3D tem sido uma área de pesquisa recente e inovadora. Utilizando essa técnica é possível a produção de peças, próteses, modelos, brinquedos e até mesmo comida. A utilização da impressão 3D para produção de fibras ópticas poliméricas é outra inovação. Este trabalho buscou preparar e estudar a impressão de preformas utilizando poliácido láctico (PLA), seguindo de seu puxamento em fibras, buscando uma possível aplicação na área de sensoriamento. As preformas foram projetadas utilizando software CAD, seguido de um estudo sistemático para garantir uma boa qualidade de impressão e impressas em uma impressora 3D comercial seguida do puxamento das preformas. Foram realizados analises térmicas para averiguar o comportamento térmico do polímero em diferentes partes do processo, assim como suas temperaturas características, que demostraram Temperaturas: 1. Transição Vítrea (Tg) = 60 ºC, 2. Fusão (Tf) = 152 °C e 3. Máxima Cristalização (Tp) = 114 °C. A espectroscopia óptica na região do ultravioleta e visível (UV-Vis) demostrou que o material apresenta janelas de transmitância em 400-900, 1200-1220 e 1490-1600 nm, sendo interessante para aplicações como fibra óptica nestas faixas de comprimento de onda. Imagens obtidas por microscopia óptica revelaram que o desenho da preforma manteve-se após puxamento, obtendo uma fibra idêntica a projetada. Os testes de transmissão demonstraram que a fibra transmite a luz e, buscando aplicação em sensores, foram inseridos materiais luminescentes na fibra. Porém, os dados de emissão não foram coletados, mostrando que a atenuação é grande suficientemente para não excitar o material na outra ponta da fibra.
3D printing technologies have been a recent and innovative area of research. Using this technique, it is possible to produce parts, prostheses, models, toys and even food. The use of 3D printing for the production of polymer optical fibers is another innovation. The aim of this work is to prepare and to study the printing of preforms using polylactic acid (PLA), their pulling in fibers and a possible application in the sensing area. The preforms were designed using CAD software followed by a systematic study to ensure good print quality. The preform was printed on a commercial 3D printer and pulled by a drawing tower. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were carried out to determine the thermal behavior of the polymer in different parts of the process, as well as its characteristic temperatures, which showed: 1. Glass transition (Tg) = 60 ºC, 2. Melting (Tf) = 152 °C and 3. Maximum Crystallization (Tp) = 114 °C. Optical spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible region (UV-Vis) has shown that the material exhibits transmittance windows at 400-900, 1200-1220 and 1490-1600 nm, being interesting for applications in these wavelength ranges in optical fibers. Images obtained by optical microscopy show that the design of the preform was maintained after pulling, revealing a fiber identical to that projected. Transmission tests showed that the fiber transmits the light. Seeking application in sensors, luminescent materials were inserted into the fiber, however, the emission data were not collected, showing that the attenuation was large enough such that the material is not excited at the other end of the fiber.
3D printing technologies have been a recent and innovative area of research. Using this technique, it is possible to produce parts, prostheses, models, toys and even food. The use of 3D printing for the production of polymer optical fibers is another innovation. The aim of this work is to prepare and to study the printing of preforms using polylactic acid (PLA), their pulling in fibers and a possible application in the sensing area. The preforms were designed using CAD software followed by a systematic study to ensure good print quality. The preform was printed on a commercial 3D printer and pulled by a drawing tower. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were carried out to determine the thermal behavior of the polymer in different parts of the process, as well as its characteristic temperatures, which showed: 1. Glass transition (Tg) = 60 ºC, 2. Melting (Tf) = 152 °C and 3. Maximum Crystallization (Tp) = 114 °C. Optical spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible region (UV-Vis) has shown that the material exhibits transmittance windows at 400-900, 1200-1220 and 1490-1600 nm, being interesting for applications in these wavelength ranges in optical fibers. Images obtained by optical microscopy show that the design of the preform was maintained after pulling, revealing a fiber identical to that projected. Transmission tests showed that the fiber transmits the light. Seeking application in sensors, luminescent materials were inserted into the fiber, however, the emission data were not collected, showing that the attenuation was large enough such that the material is not excited at the other end of the fiber.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Impressão 3D, Fibras ópticas poliméricas, Fotônica