Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers
In this study, the development of a polyoxymethylene (POM) feedstock material for the powder bed fusion (PBF) of polymers is outlined. POM particles are obtained via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and precipitation, also known as the solution-dissolution process. In order to identify suitable...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/7/1535 |
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| author | Maximilian A. Dechet Ina Baumeister Jochen Schmidt |
| author_facet | Maximilian A. Dechet Ina Baumeister Jochen Schmidt |
| author_sort | Maximilian A. Dechet |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the development of a polyoxymethylene (POM) feedstock material for the powder bed fusion (PBF) of polymers is outlined. POM particles are obtained via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and precipitation, also known as the solution-dissolution process. In order to identify suitable POM solvent systems for LLPS and precipitation, in the first step, a solvent screening based on solubility parameters was performed, and acetophenone and triacetin were identified as the most promising suitable moderate solvents for POM. Cloud point curves were measured for both solvents to derive suitable temperature profiles and polymer concentrations for the solution-dissolution process. In the next step, important process parameters, namely POM concentration and stirring conditions, were studied to elucidate their effect on the product’s properties. The product particles obtained from both aforementioned solvents were characterized with regard to their morphology and size distribution, as well as their thermal properties (cf. the PBF processing window) and compared to a cryo-milled POM PBF feedstock. Both solvents allowed for precipitation of POM particles of an appropriate size distribution for PBF for polymer concentrations of at least up to 20 wt.%. Finally, a larger powder batch for application in the PBF process was produced by precipitation from the preferred solvent acetophenone. This POM powder was further analyzed concerning its flowability, Hausner ratio, and mass-specific surface area. Finally, test specimens, namely a complex gyroid body and a detailed ornament, were successfully manufactured from this feedstock powder showing appropriate bulk solid and thermal properties to demonstrate PBF processability. In summary, a processable and suitable POM PBF feedstock could be developed based on the non-mechanical solution dissolution process, which, to the authors’ best knowledge, has not been reported in previous studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T10:11:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3a72471218154bd5ade90d6ec497ed6a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T10:11:36Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-3a72471218154bd5ade90d6ec497ed6a2023-11-16T14:26:21ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442020-03-01137153510.3390/ma13071535Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of PolymersMaximilian A. Dechet0Ina Baumeister1Jochen Schmidt2Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, D-91058 Erlangen, GermanyInstitute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, D-91058 Erlangen, GermanyInstitute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstraße 4, D-91058 Erlangen, GermanyIn this study, the development of a polyoxymethylene (POM) feedstock material for the powder bed fusion (PBF) of polymers is outlined. POM particles are obtained via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and precipitation, also known as the solution-dissolution process. In order to identify suitable POM solvent systems for LLPS and precipitation, in the first step, a solvent screening based on solubility parameters was performed, and acetophenone and triacetin were identified as the most promising suitable moderate solvents for POM. Cloud point curves were measured for both solvents to derive suitable temperature profiles and polymer concentrations for the solution-dissolution process. In the next step, important process parameters, namely POM concentration and stirring conditions, were studied to elucidate their effect on the product’s properties. The product particles obtained from both aforementioned solvents were characterized with regard to their morphology and size distribution, as well as their thermal properties (cf. the PBF processing window) and compared to a cryo-milled POM PBF feedstock. Both solvents allowed for precipitation of POM particles of an appropriate size distribution for PBF for polymer concentrations of at least up to 20 wt.%. Finally, a larger powder batch for application in the PBF process was produced by precipitation from the preferred solvent acetophenone. This POM powder was further analyzed concerning its flowability, Hausner ratio, and mass-specific surface area. Finally, test specimens, namely a complex gyroid body and a detailed ornament, were successfully manufactured from this feedstock powder showing appropriate bulk solid and thermal properties to demonstrate PBF processability. In summary, a processable and suitable POM PBF feedstock could be developed based on the non-mechanical solution dissolution process, which, to the authors’ best knowledge, has not been reported in previous studies.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/7/1535polyoxymethylene (POM)powder bed fusionadditive manufacturingprecipitationsolution-dissolutionparticle analysis |
| spellingShingle | Maximilian A. Dechet Ina Baumeister Jochen Schmidt Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers Materials polyoxymethylene (POM) powder bed fusion additive manufacturing precipitation solution-dissolution particle analysis |
| title | Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers |
| title_full | Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers |
| title_fullStr | Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers |
| title_short | Development of Polyoxymethylene Particles via the Solution-Dissolution Process and Application to the Powder Bed Fusion of Polymers |
| title_sort | development of polyoxymethylene particles via the solution dissolution process and application to the powder bed fusion of polymers |
| topic | polyoxymethylene (POM) powder bed fusion additive manufacturing precipitation solution-dissolution particle analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/7/1535 |
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