Investigations for Material Tracing in Selective Laser Sintering: Part ΙΙ: Validation of Modified Polymers as Marking Agents

Abstract

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is currently in transition to the production of functional components. However, the ability to apply it is confronted with new requirements for reliability and reproducibility. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of aging processes in polymers is essential. Regarding material traceability as well as defective component identification with subsequent cause tracing, the application of a material-inherent marking technology represents a solution. SLS in combination with modified polymers as a marking technology proves to be an efficient opportunity to produce reproducible and high-quality components due to an increased understanding of the process. Based on a selection of modified polymers for use in SLS, which were characterized in part I of the study, this work focuses on the experimental validation of the result. The influence of modified polymers on materials and component properties and the SLS process’s influence on the traceability of modified polymers are examined. Intrinsic and extrinsic material properties as well as mechanical properties, surface quality and sinter density are analyzed. No discernible influences of the modified polymers on the investigated properties could be observed and the traceability of the modified polymers could also be confirmed in the aged powder and component using mass spectroscopy.

Influence Analysis of Modified Polymers as a Marking Agent for Material Tracing during Cyclic Injection Molding

“…A previous study [ 38 ] listed further information about the marking agent. Compared to the investigated modified polymer used in a previous study [ 39 ], this modified polymer contained a different main molar mass, as well as different mass numbers of the sequences ( Table 1 ).…”

“…An MS/MS device of the API 4000 MS/MS type was used, which was supplied by AB SCIEX (Darmstadt, Germany). The method for detection, sequencing and determining the traceability of the modified polymer was analogous to that of a previous study [ 39 ]. With the exception of the extraction methods listed in Table 5 , the same procedure and parameters were used.…”

“…The extraction methods depended on the investigated specimens. According to a previous study [ 39 ], the analyte was delivered to the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source using a syringe pump of the Model 100 type from kd Scientific Inc. (Holliston, MA, USA). The syringe pump flow rate was 0.06 mL/h [ 39 ].…”

“…According to a previous study [ 39 ], the analyte was delivered to the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source using a syringe pump of the Model 100 type from kd Scientific Inc. (Holliston, MA, USA). The syringe pump flow rate was 0.06 mL/h [ 39 ]. Detection and sequencing were both recorded for at least 5 min.…”

“…Modified polymers were evaluated as a suitable material-inherent tracing technology for use in polymer processing manufacturing [ 38 ]. This tracing technology has already been successfully investigated in the selective laser sintering of polyamide 12 in a previous study [ 39 ]. Modified polymers are sequence-defined polymers, and they are encodable via targeted polymerization so that information can be stored at the molecular level [ 40 ].…”