Postprocessing of Additively Manufactured Polymeric and Metallic Parts—A Review

Additive manufacturing (AM) which is popularly known as 3D printing is an advanced manufacturing process which produces complex geometries in reduced manufacturing time. Moreover, it is easy to use because of the flexibility in the operation and compatibility with polymeric as well as metallic parts. Although this advanced technique is gaining more popularity, it also faces criticisms like poor surface finish, formation of unwanted microstructural phases, delamination, warping, and wear tracks. Due to the presence of the mentioned defects, there is a reduction in the part's physical and mechanical properties. Therefore, it becomes a necessity to opt for postprocessing techniques to resolve these issues. This is an important step in the 3D printing process which is required to be performed on the printed part to enhance its properties and provide an aesthetic look. This chapter includes the basics and a literature review of the various postprocessing techniques like coating, surface polishing, vapor smoothing, chemical, laser, ultrasound, and heat treatment, which are used for property enhancement of the printed parts. Lastly, this review chapter will help the reader to know the future perspectives of these techniques and will open an additional domain for future research.