THE EFFECT OF POLYAMIDE PARTICLES ON THE PROCESSIBILITY OF SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

Abstract

Polyamide powders were prepared as the laser sintering materials for the three-dimensional duplication equipment of selective laser sintering process. Though polyamide powders had a similar chemical structure, there were big differences in thermal properties, particle size and distribution, and shape. These variations had a close relation with the processibility of laser sintering. As far as the particle shape approached a spherical shape, the processibility of laser sintering was improved. The particle size distribution also played an important role in the precision of fabrication.