Manufacture of polymer powders for the industrial SFF system by using SLS process

Abstract

Polyamide 12 were studied as the laser sintering materials for~h~three-d~ensional duplicator equipment of selective laser sintering process. Though polymer powders had a similar che~I~al structure, there .were. some differences in thermal properties, particle size and distribution, and shape. These varI~tIons had a close relatl~n. ':Ith the processibility of laser sintering. As far as the particle shape approache~~spherIca~sh.ape, the processibility was improved. The particle size distribution played an important role in the prectsion of~abricatlon. The polymer powders with uniform size and higher bulk density were successfully prepared by controllmg se:~ral finely-controll~d steps, such as dissolution, nucleation, propagation and crystallization, in wet process. Several additives were added to nnprove the thermal, rheological, and flow properties further.