Properties of Thin Films on 3D Printed Substrates

The aim of this work is to evaluate the deposition process and properties of Aluminum thin films deposited by electromagnetic sputtering and evaporation on 3D printed substrates made using fused filament fabrication (FFF) with various materials (PLA- Polylactic Acid, PETG- polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified, and recycled PET) and stereolitography (SLA). The structure and the properties of the thin film layers were evaluated via confocal microscopy, using resistance measurement and by measuring the attenuation and reflection of the passing electromagnetic wave. Non-contact measurement of the transmittance of the sample to the electromagnetic wave was used to indirectly measure the minimal and maximal impedance of the thin film layer.