Preparation of nickel/PA12 composite particles by defect-induced electroless plating for use in SLS processing

In this work, Ni particles/PA12 powders (Ni/PA12) and graphite oxide (GO)-encapsulated Ni particles/PA12 powders (GO-Ni/PA12) composite powders were prepared by defect-included electroless plating technique, and its laser sintered behaviour was investigated. Results showed that a lot of defects could formed on the surface of CH₃COOH etched PA12 powders. The defects would induce Ni and GO-Ni particles independently plated on the PA12 surface. Adding GO in the plating solution would facilitate the deposition of Ni particles, GO, and NiO on the PA 12 surface, but inhibit the growth and the crystallinity of the Ni particles. The SLS process involved the contact of PA12 powders, the formation of sintering neck, the growth of sintering neck and the formation of fused solid. Sintering process could facilitate the re-arrangement of Ni particles due to surface tension and the growth of sintering neck. The Ni particles had well wettability, and the interfaces between Ni particles and PA 12 were contacted soundly. The tensile strength and bending strength of the 10 W-sintered Ni/PA12 specimen were 50 MPa and 60 MPa. But SLS process caused the serious aggregation of GO-Ni particles due to higher concentration, activity and surface area of GO-Ni particles.