Nowadays, 3D printing(3DP)is leading a revolution of the processing technique, thanks to its versatility in the manufacture of complex geometries and having the ability to manufacture complex parts in one step,reducing both the manufacturing time and costs.With this technology, the aim is to bring science and society closer together, with the ultimate goal of developing new devices that are more efficient than the current ones in order to produce clean energy,since the fuel used is derived from hydrogen in contact with air to produce energy and water vapour.Specifically, in the field of energy and in particular by using this advanced methodology to 3DPsolid oxide fuel cells is growing during the last decade.Therefore, in this sense, the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) avoids the generation of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, which is the ultimate global purpose to face the present worldwide climate crisis.The purpose of this Master’s thesis is the combination of these two fields, focusing on the electrolyte 3DPof SOFC, with the main objective to obtain the final material with microstructural and mechanical properties similar to those obtained by traditional techniques.To carry out this study, two different geometries have been chosen, tubular and cylindrical, where the proportions of the printing material, processing conditions, etc. have been modified in order to achieve materials with a relative density higher than 96%, compared to traditional techniques, and mechanical properties similar to the materials produced by traditional routes, in this case, by using cold isostatic press (CIP). Within this context, the microstructural and mechanical properties have been determined by means of advanced characterization techniques, like: field emission scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, etc. Subsequently, the methodology of preliminary micro-compression of cylindrical and/or tubular fuel cells was determined.To sum up, a density greater than 98% has been obtained with a hardness and elastic modulus of the 3DP electrolytes similar than those processed by using the conventional manufacturing techniques
