Additive manufacturing is a group of fast-growing technologies that are rapidly maturing. An important part of this development is the insights material characterization provides to understand and optimize the processes, as well as developing new materials. This is particularly true for powder bed fusion (PBF) of polymers, where most of the market is dominated by nylon-12 materials. During PBF, solid powder forms the support of a melted part shape. This powder remains at elevated temperatures, just below the melt, for significant periods of time, sometimes many hours at the bottom of the build. Therefore, they are at risk of ageing with consequences on processing behaviour and part performance.
Typical materials used in PBF are nylons and some TPUs with more and more new materials, including commodity polymers such as polypropylene, being under investigation. In this talk we will summarize work to investigate the ageing of Nylon 12 (glass filled and unfilled) and Polypropylene using various analytical techniques including Rheology, Gel Permeation Chromatography and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The aim is to link molecular properties of the polymer with rheology and crystallization dynamics of the powders and printed parts.
Speakers
- Candice Majewski - Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield
- Serena Agostini - Senior Applications Scientist (Separations), Malvern Panalytical
- Natalie Rudolph - Business Field Manager Polymers, Netzsch
More information
Who should attend?
- Polymer scientists interested in the relationships between macromolecular structure and physical properties
- Polymer manufacturers looking at investigative tools to aid product development and improve quality control
- Additive manufacturers who want to check the degradation of their polymer powders to ensure they’re fit for use
What will you learn?
- Understand the importance of powder re-use in polymer powder bed fusion and some of the key factors impacting this
- Learn how Size Exclusion Chromatography, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Rheology can be used to understand the aging mechanism
- Learn how changes in macromolecular structure affect thermal and rheological properties of aged powders and printed parts, and the impact on their mechanical properties
- Understand the impact of glass fillers on polymer aging process and the physical and mechanical properties of printed parts