Additive manufacturing of polymer composites with nano-titania inclusions

Abstract

Abstract This study focuses on the possibility of controlling the morphology, phase-structural transformations, shape and mechanical features of a nano ceramic-polymer matrix by adding nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) to the polymer during a selective laser sintering process. 3D parts were manufcatured from dissimilar polymers and nano-titania powder compositions with different volume ratios. Evaluations of the microstructural characteristics of the 3D samples were performed using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray analysis. SEM indicated a heterogeneous distribution of nano-titania in the polymer matrix. The x-ray patterns confirmed the presence of the original phase (TiO2) with some changes, which is useful for biomedical applications. Heating the 3D parts for approximately 30 additional minutes in the oven in the range of 50 °C–250 °C allowed us to reveal the conditions necessary for changing the porosity of the ceramic–polymer matrix, without requiring a polymer binder or titania framework fixing.