scholarly journals Manufacturing of Porous Polycaprolactone Prepared with Different Particle Sizes and Infrared Laser Sintering Conditions: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 640496 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. V. Salmoria ◽  
D. Hotza ◽  
P. Klauss ◽  
L. A. Kanis ◽  
C. R. M. Roesler
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Mechanical Devices

The techniques of Rapid Prototyping, also known as Additive Manufacturing, have prompted research into methods of manufacturing polymeric materials with controlled porosity. This paper presents the characterization of the structure and mechanical properties of porous polycaprolactone (PCL) fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using two different particle sizes and laser processing conditions. The results of this study indicated that it is possible to control the microstructure, that is, pore size and degree of porosity, of the polycaprolactone matrix using the SLS technique, by varying the particle size and laser energy density, obtaining materials suitable for different applications, scaffolds and drug delivery and fluid mechanical devices. The specimens manufactured with smaller particles and higher laser energy density showed a higher degree of sintering, flexural modulus, and fatigue resistance when compared with the other specimens.

Orthotropic properties of cement-filled polyamide 12 manufactured by selective laser sintering

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1112
Author(s):  
Saleh Ahmed Aldahash ◽  
Abdelrasoul M. Gadelmoula
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Flexural Modulus ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Build Orientation ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Fabrication Parameters

Purpose The cement-filled PA12 manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS) offers desirable mechanical properties; however, these properties are dependent on several fabrication parameters. As a result, SLS prototypes may exhibit orthotropic mechanical properties unless properly oriented in build chamber. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of part build orientation, laser energy and cement content on mechanical properties of cement-filled PA12. Design/methodology/approach The test specimens were fabricated by SLS using the “DTM Sinterstation 2000” system at which the specimens were aligned along six different orientations. The scanning speed was 914mm/s, scan spacing was 0.15mm, layer thickness was 0.1mm and laser power was 4.5–8Watt. A total of 270 tensile specimens, 270 flexural specimens and 135 compression specimens were manufactured and the tensile, compression and flexural properties of fabricated specimens were evaluated. Findings The experiments revealed orientation-dependent (orthotropic) mechanical properties of SLS cement-filled PA12 and confirmed that the parts with shorter scan vectors have enhanced flexural strength as compared with longer scan vectors. The maximum deviations of ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength and flexural modulus along the six orientations were 32%, 26% and 36%, respectively. Originality/value Although part build orientation is a key fabrication parameter, very little was found in open literature with contradictory findings about its effect on mechanical properties of fabricated parts. In this work, the effects of build orientation when combined with other fabrication parameters on the properties of SLS parts were evaluated along six different orientations.

scholarly journals Selective Laser Sintering of PA6: Effect of Powder Recoating on Fibre Orientation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Tobias Heckner ◽  
Michael Seitz ◽  
Sven Robert Raisch ◽  
Gerrit Huelder ◽  
Peter Middendorf
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Laser Power ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Fibre Orientation ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Laser Sintering ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Imaging Results

In Selective Laser Sintering, fibres are strongly orientated during the powder recoating process. This effect leads to an additional increase of anisotropy in the final printed parts. This study investigates the influence of process parameter variation on the mechanical properties and the fibre orientation. A full factorial design of experiment was created to evaluate the processing parameters of recoating speed, layer thickness and laser power on the part’s modulus of elasticity. Based on the mechanical testing, computed tomography was applied to selected samples to investigate the process-induced fibre microstructure, and calculate the fibre orientation tensors. The results show increasing part stiffness in the deposition direction, with decreasing layer thickness and increasing laser power, while the recoating speed only shows little effect on the mechanical performance. This complies with computed tomography imaging results, which show an increase in fibre orientation with smaller layer thickness. With thinner layers, and hence smaller shear gaps, shear stresses induced by the roller during recoating increase significantly, leading to excessive fibre reorientation and alignment. The high level of fibre alignment implies an increase of strength and stiffness in the recoating direction. In addition, thinner layer thickness under constant laser energy density results in improved melting behaviour, and thus improved fibre consolidation, consequently further increasing the mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the parameters of recoating speed and laser power do not have a significant impact on fibre orientation within their applicable process windows.

Inhibition of phase transformation from β- to α-tricalcium phosphate with addition of poly (L-lactic acid) in selective laser sintering

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cijun Shuai ◽  
Jingyu Zhuang ◽  
Shuping Peng ◽  
Xuejun Wen
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transformation ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Liquid Phase ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Porous Structure ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Transient Liquid Phase ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The paper aims to fabricate an α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffold with an interconnected porous structure via selective laser sintering (SLS). To inhibit the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP in fabrication process of porous scaffolds, a small amount (1 weight per cent) of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is added into β-TCP powder to introduce the transient liquid phase. Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for the transient liquid phase of melting PLLA to decrease the sintering temperature in SLS. Meanwhile, the densification of β-TCP is enhanced with a combined effect of the capillary force caused by melting PLLA and the surface energy of β-TCP particles. Moreover, the PLLA will gradually decompose and completely disappear with laser irradiation. Findings – The testing results show the addition of PLLA enables the scaffolds to achieve a higher β-TCP content of 77 ± 1.49 weight per cent compared with the scaffold sintered from β-TCP powder (60 ± 1.65 weight per cent), when the laser energy density is 0.4 J/mm2. The paper provides the mechanism of PLLA inhibition on the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP. And the optimum sintering parameters are obtained based on experimental results, which are used to prepare a TCP scaffold with an interconnected porous structure via SLS. Research limitations/implications – This paper shows that the laser energy density is an important sintering parameter that can provide the means to control the micro-porous structure of the scaffold. If the laser energy density is too low, the densification is not enough. On the other hand, if the laser energy density is too high, the microcracks are observed which are attributed to the volume expansion during the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP. Therefore, the laser energy density must be optimized. Originality/value – The paper provides a feasible method for fabricating TCP artificial bone scaffold with good biological and mechanical properties.

Study on the selective laser sintering of a low-isotacticity polypropylene powder

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Chunze Yan ◽  
Yunsong Shi ◽  
Shifeng Wen ◽  
Changjun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crystalline Polymers ◽  
Polyamide 12 ◽  
Degradation Temperature

Purpose Semi-crystalline polymers such as polyamide-12 can be used for selective laser sintering (SLS) to make near-fully dense plastic parts. At present, however, the types of semi-crystalline polymers suitable for SLS are critically limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the processibility of a new kind of semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) with low isotacticity for SLS process. Design/methodology/approach The SLS processibility of the PP powder, including particle size and shape, sintering window, degree of crystallinity and degradation temperature, was evaluated. Effects of the applied laser energy density on the surface micromorphology, density, tensile strength and thermal properties of SLS-built PP specimens were studied. Findings The results show that the PP powder has a nearly spherical shape, smooth surfaces, an appropriate average particle size of 63.6 μm, a broad sintering window of 21 oC and low crystalline degree of 30.4 per cent comparable to that of polyamide-12, a high degradation temperature of 381.8°C and low part bed temperature of 105°C, indicating a very good SLS processibility. The density and the tensile strength first increase with increasing laser energy density until they reach the maximum values of 0.831 g/cm3 and 19.9 MPa, respectively, at the laser energy density of 0.0458 J/mm2, and then decrease when the applied laser energy density continue to increase owing to the degradation of PP powders. The complex PP components have been manufactured by SLS using the optimum parameters, which are strong enough to be directly used as functional parts. Originality/value This paper provides a new knowledge for this field that low-isotacticity PPs exhibit good SLS processibility, therefore increasing material types and broadening the application of SLS technology.

Selective Laser Melting Additive Manufacturing of Novel Aluminum Based Composites With Multiple Reinforcing Phases

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongdong Gu ◽  
Fei Chang ◽  
Donghua Dai
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Selective Laser Melting ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Laser Energy Density ◽  
Wear Property ◽  
Laser Melting ◽  
Sic Particles

The selective laser melting (SLM), due to its unique additive manufacturing (AM) processing manner and laser-induced nonequilibrium rapid melting/solidification mechanism, has a promising potential in developing new metallic materials with tailored performance. In this work, SLM of the SiC/AlSi10Mg composites was performed to prepare the Al-based composites with the multiple reinforcing phases. The influence of the SLM processing parameters on the constitutional phases, microstructural features, and mechanical performance (e.g., densification, microhardness, and wear property) of the SLM-processed Al-based composites was studied. The reinforcing phases in the SLM-processed Al-based composites included the unmelted micron-sized SiC particles, the in situ formed micron-sized Al4SiC4 strips, and the in situ produced submicron Al4SiC4 particles. As the input laser energy density increased, the extent of the in situ reaction between the SiC particles and the Al matrix increased, resulting in the larger degree of the formation of Al4SiC4 reinforcement. The densification rate of the SLM-processed Al-based composite parts increased as the applied laser energy density increased. The sufficiently high density (∼96% theoretical density (TD)) was achieved for the laser linear energy density larger than 1000 J/m. Due to the generation of the multiple reinforcing phases, the elevated mechanical properties were obtained for the SLM-processed Al-based composites, showing a high microhardness of 214 HV0.1, a considerably low coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.39, and a reduced wear rate of 1.56 × 10−5 mm3 N−1 m−1. At an excessive laser energy input, the grain size of the in situ formed Al4SiC4 reinforcing phase, both the strip- and particle-structured Al4SiC4, increased markedly. The significant grain coarsening and the formation of the interfacial microscopic shrinkage porosity lowered the mechanical properties of the SLM-processed Al-based composites. These findings in the present work are applicable and/or transferrable to other laser-based powder processing processes, e.g., laser cladding, laser metal deposition, or laser engineered net shaping.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document