Investigations for Material Tracing in Selective Laser Sintering: Part ΙΙ: Validation of Modified Polymers as Marking...

Area of Science:

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Polymer Engineering

Background:

• Selective laser sintering (SLS) is advancing towards functional component production, demanding higher reliability and reproducibility.
• Understanding polymer aging is crucial for meeting these new requirements.
• Material-inherent marking offers a solution for traceability and defect analysis in SLS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally validate the use of modified polymers in SLS for material traceability.
• To assess the influence of modified polymers on material and component properties during SLS.
• To examine the impact of the SLS process on the traceability of these modified polymers.

Main Methods:

• Experimental validation of modified polymers in SLS.
• Analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic material properties.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties, surface quality, and sinter density.
• Mass spectroscopy for traceability confirmation in aged powder and components.

Main Results:

• Modified polymers showed no discernible negative influence on investigated material and component properties.
• Traceability of modified polymers was confirmed in aged powder and final components.
• The SLS process is compatible with inherent marking technology for enhanced quality control.

Conclusions:

• Modified polymers are suitable for SLS applications without compromising material or component quality.
• In-situ material marking via modified polymers in SLS ensures traceability and aids in defect analysis.
• This approach supports the production of reliable and reproducible functional components using SLS.