Nanoclay/Polymer Composite Powders for Use in Laser Sintering Applications: Effects of Nanoclay Plasma Treatment

Abstract

Plasma-etched nanoclay-reinforced Polyamide 12 (PA12) powder is prepared with its intended use in selective laser sintering (LS) applications. To replicate the LS process we present a downward heat sintering (DHS) process, carried out in a hot press, to fabricate tensile test specimens from the composite powders. The DHS parameters are optimized through hot stage microscopy, which reveal that the etched clay (EC)-based PA12 (EC/PA12) nanocomposite powder melts at a temperature 2°C higher than that of neat PA12, and 1-3°C lower than that of the nonetched clay-based nanocompsite (NEC/PA12 composite). We show that these temperature differences are critical to successful LS. The distribution of EC and NEC onto PA12 is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images show clearly that the plasma treatment prevents the micron-scale aggregation of the nanoclay, resulting in an improved elastic modulus of EC/PA12 when compared with neat PA12 and NEC/PA12. Moreover, the reduction in elongation at break for EC/PA12 is less pronounced than for NEC/PA12.

Surface modification of the laser sintering standard powder polyamide 12 by plasma treatments

“…Nano‐materials such as nanoclays have potential in this area, but their dispersion can be difficult. Plasma etching has been used to improve dispersion and therefore make these nano‐materials more viable …”

“…DHS was used only to cast the nontreated and LP‐PT treated PA12 powder as the PJ treated powder has shown its meltability during plasma exposure. This study is a part of a series of works linking plasma treatment and its advantages on polymers or polymer composites for laser sintering applications …”

“…Plasma etching has been used to improve dispersion and therefore make these nano-materials more viable. [8,9] LS-PA12 parts with many other polymers have also restricted applications where adhesive bonding of polymers with other materials, wettability, or printability are required, due to their poor hydrophilic properties. [10] PA12 powder tends to have the lowest swelling and solubility in polar solvents like water due to its longer methylene chain and strong hydrogen bonds between the amide groups of the PA12.…”

“…This study is a part of a series of works linking plasma treatment and its advantages on polymers or polymer composites for laser sintering applications. [8,9] 2 | MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL 2.1 | Materials Polyamide 12 (PA12) (often named as Nylon12) supplied by e-Manufacturing Solution (EOS) is a white, odorless, thermoplastic and semicrystalline polymer. PA12 is selected for this study as, by far, it is the most established and commonly used laser sintering powder.…”

Avaliação do efeito do tratamento a plasma sobre a superfície de filmes de polietileno verde e argila vermiculita

“…Esse resultado pode estar relacionado com a redução da ductilidade e ao comportamento frágil do material quando adicionada a carga inorgânica. ALMANSOORI, MAJEWSKI e RODENBURG [26] relataram que a incorporação da argila favoreceu a uma redução da ductilidade da matriz polimérica e que a fraca interação entre a argila e o polímero orgânico provocou a uma diminuição da tensão máxima nas amostras.…”