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Characterisation of UHMWPE Polymer Powder for Laser Sintering.
Yas Khalil1, Neil Hopkinson2, Adam Kowalski3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 17, 2019
Summary
Characterizing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder is key for additive manufacturing. Findings reveal particle morphology and agglomeration challenges impact laser sintering suitability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) offers exceptional mechanical and chemical resistance.
- Traditional processing of UHMWPE is difficult due to its extremely high melt viscosity.
- Limited research exists on UHMWPE suitability for additive manufacturing, specifically laser sintering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize UHMWPE powder properties for laser sintering.
- To understand material requirements for processing UHMWPE via additive manufacturing.
- To assess the suitability of UHMWPE for laser sintering applications.
Main Methods:
- Powder characterization including morphology and flow properties.
- Analysis of thermal behavior and stability.
- Crystallinity assessment of UHMWPE powder.
Main Results:
- Sintering behavior is influenced by particle morphology and viscous flow.
- UHMWPE exhibits highly agglomerated structures with fibrils.
- These characteristics present challenges for laser sintering processing.
Conclusions:
- UHMWPE powder characterization is crucial for additive manufacturing.
- Particle morphology and agglomeration significantly affect laser sintering outcomes.
- Further research is needed to overcome processing challenges for UHMWPE in laser sintering.
