Microstructural and mechanical property characterisation of PA12-CNT composite products by selective laser sintering

• Main Author: Chang, Gar Heng
• Other Authors: Zhou Kun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/68387
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Polyamide 12 (PA12) and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced PA12-CNT 0.5 wt% nanocomposite was produced using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and investigated. The mechanical properties and surface morphology of nanocomposites were characterised using tensile testing and optical microscopy respectively. Characteristics of nanocomposites were identified and supported by analysis from microstructure. An optimal set of laser sintering parameters for PA12-CNT 0.5 wt% was obtained. Individual sintering parameters were found to be more influential than total laser energy absorbed by powder in producing strong SLS samples. Further increase in laser energy beyond certain point was found leading to saturation of mechanical properties.