Analysis of the Exposure of PLA Surfaces to Ozone Gas, Ozonated Water, and Ultraviolet Radiation, Preliminary Evaluation

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has been used in automobiles, aerospace, mechanical systems, medicines, and biological systems, among other environments. The present study aimed to evaluate possible alterations induced after exposure to ozone (O3), both in the gaseous form and dissolved in water, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in materials that are used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, since they have a great potential for use in health. The material analyzed as polylactic acid (PLA), is the filament most commonly used. To evaluate the degradation of this material, objects were printed on a 3D printer, and the samples were divided into 3 groups Ozone Gas (O3), Ozonated Water, and UV light, and monitored in two cycles of 90 min of exposure. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate the alterations of the surfaces exposed to the different treatments. The tested materials showed resistance to exposure to O3 in the gas and liquid phases, but UV exposure showed that PLA was degraded. The data obtained suggest that this material can be used to manufacture parts to be used and exposed to O3 gas, as well as ozonated water. In this sense, the use of PLA is promising in health equipment and instruments, such as components for ozone therapy, and/or disinfection equipment that uses ozone or ozonated water.