Development of polymeric nanocomposites for selective laser sintering

• Main Author: Wong, Wendell Shun Yin
• Other Authors: Zhou Kun
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Manufacturing::Polymers and plastics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72101
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper will address the current gap in materials for Polymeric based 3D printing. Explorations of new materials to act as reinforcement or filler will be done. This is to facilitate an attempt to create diversity in terms of material selection to popularize 3D printing as a manufacturing method rather than a prototyping solution. In addition, an attempt to address the speed of production will be done to further increased attractiveness of 3D printing as a manufacturing method via throughput. Material for exploration has been designated as Poly-Amide 11 in combination with Graphic Oxide Processed by blending in a heated water vessel and drying with an industrial strength drier. Experimentation will be done with EOSINT M 395 3D printer Basis of success will be determined based on the tensile and impact strength of materials in relations to its virgin form in its 3D printed and injection moulded form and strength. All these will be leveraged on the speed of production. It is understood that accelerated production speed will result in fall off in production quality, however if material strength substantially fulfil requirement, production speed gain will be a boon to this research. Results are partially successful as injected form of PA11GO is significantly stronger than the virgin form. However, composite SLS specimens are nowhere near the strength of the SLS specimens made with virgin PA11 powder. More experimentation on various combination of temperature is required to utilize PA11GO as a SLS material.