Title: Pre-processing studies for selective laser sintering of glass beads-filled polyamide 12 composites

Authors: Alkhair A. Mousa; Duc T. Pham; Soe P. Shwe

Addresses: Technology College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Houn, LY, Libya ' School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK ' Cardiff University, Institute of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK

Abstract: The paper provides the background needed on the investigation of mechanical properties and geometric accuracy of glass bead filled polyamide 12 composites. It introduces the topic of determination of material and process parameters, describes the pre-processing studies required and methods used, and reviews the factors influencing the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. A series of experiments aimed at achieving this goal, focusing on the mechanical properties and geometric accuracy of selective laser sintered composite samples, are described in this paper. A DTM system (Sinterstation 2000 machine) was used for conducting experiments. The main focus is on polyamide 12 filled with hard (coated and uncoated) inorganic glass particles. Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used for characterising the powder material and the resulting sintered parts. The optimal parameters for selective laser sintering of the composites were experimentally determined.

Keywords: SLS; selective laser sintering; polyamide 12 composites; glass beads; coupling agents; pre-processing; rapid manufacturing; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2014.062036

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2014 Vol.4 No.1, pp.28 - 48

Received: 30 Oct 2013
Accepted: 11 Feb 2014

Published online: 23 Oct 2014 *

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