The polymer laser sintering (PLS) process is one of the most promising additive manufacturing (AM) technologies for polymeric materials. However, the technique has challenges because the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of the polymeric powder deteriorate due to the high temperatures prevailing in the build chamber during manufacture. These high temperatures cause agglomeration of powder, which leads to a decrease in the flowability of powder. There is also a related drop in the coalescence of the powder granules during PLS, which results in porosity that undermines the mechanical integrity of printed parts. Moreover, the viscosity of the melt increases due to cross-linking of molecular chains. This, in turn, increases the tensile strength of the printed components at the expense of the percentage elongation at break. Thus, high prolonged processing temperatures decrease the reusability of polymeric materials used in PLS. In this paper, a review of the studies conducted to investigate ways of reducing the effects of high temperature on polymeric powders is presented.

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Germarié Viljoen (LLB, LLM (cum laude), LLD) is 'n senior lektor by die Regsfakulteit aan die Noordwes-Universiteit. Sy doseer, lewer konferensie-bydraes, publiseer, verskaf nagraad se studieleiding, en konsulteer in die velde van regsgeskiedenis, sakereg, menseregte, wetsuitleg, en omgewings-gesondheid-en veiligheidsreg sedert 2009. Germarié lei 'n navorsingsprojek, getiteld "Environmental Change" binne haar Fakulteit. Sy dien as assistentredakteur van die Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regstydskrif (PER); en as uitvoerende komiteelid van die Environmental Law Association (Noordwes-Provinsie verteenwoordiger). Germarié Viljoen (LLB, LLM (cum laude), LLD) is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the NorthWest University. She has lectured, presented papers, published, provided postgraduate supervision and consulted in the fields of legal history, property law, human rights, statutory interpretation and environmental, health and safety law since 2009. Germarié is heading a research project entitled "Environ mental Change" within her Faculty. She serves as Assistant Editor of the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (PELJ); and as an EXCO member of the Environmental Law Association (as the NorthWest Province Chair).