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Development of Carbon Black Coating on TPU Elastic Powder for Selective Laser Sintering
Yu-Deh Chao1,2, Shu-Cheng Liu1,2, Dong-Quan Yeh1,2
1High Speed 3D Printing Research Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No. 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 13, 2024
Summary
Adding carbon black to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder significantly reduces laser reflectivity in selective laser sintering (SLS). This process enhances material density, hardness, tensile strength, and elongation at break for functional components.
Area of Science:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Materials Science
- Polymer Engineering
Background:
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is increasingly used for functional components.
- Developing new materials and processes is crucial for SLS applicability.
- High laser reflectivity of some powders, like TPU, can hinder efficient sintering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of carbon black surface coating on TPU powder for SLS.
- To reduce laser reflectivity and improve the mechanical properties of SLS-printed TPU parts.
- To optimize SLS process parameters for coated TPU powder.
Main Methods:
- Carbon black was applied to the surface of TPU powder.
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) was performed with coated TPU powder.
- Process parameters included 75 °C preheating, 0.028 J/mm² laser energy density, 0.4 wt% carbon black, and 125 μm layer thickness.
Main Results:
- Coated TPU powder exhibited a reflectivity of 13.81%.
- Achieved highest average density (1.09 g/cm³), hardness (78 A), tensile strength (7.9 MPa), and elongation at break (364.9%).
- Compared to uncoated TPU, reflectance decreased by 1.78%, mechanical properties improved by 33.9%, and porosity was reduced.
Conclusions:
- Surface coating of TPU powder with carbon black is an effective method to reduce laser reflectivity in SLS.
- This modification significantly enhances the mechanical properties and density of the sintered parts.
- The developed process offers a viable route for producing high-performance functional components using SLS with TPU.
