Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12

Non-isothermal laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) of polymers suggests the potential for significantly extending the range of materials applicable for powder-based additive manufacturing of polymers, relying on the absence of a material-specific processing window. To allow for the support-free man...

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Main Authors: Samuel Schlicht, Simon Cholewa, Dietmar Drummer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/7/1/33
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author Samuel Schlicht
Simon Cholewa
Dietmar Drummer
author_facet Samuel Schlicht
Simon Cholewa
Dietmar Drummer
author_sort Samuel Schlicht
collection DOAJ
description Non-isothermal laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) of polymers suggests the potential for significantly extending the range of materials applicable for powder-based additive manufacturing of polymers, relying on the absence of a material-specific processing window. To allow for the support-free manufacturing of polymers at a build chamber temperature of 25 °C, applied processing strategies comprise the combination of fractal exposure strategies and locally quasi-simultaneous exposure of distinct segments of a particular cross section for minimizing crystallization-induced part deflection. Based on the parameter-dependent control of emerging cooling rates, formed part morphologies and resulting mechanical properties can be modified. Thermographic in situ measurements allow for correlating thermal processing conditions and crystallization kinetics with component-specific mechanical, morphological, and microstructural properties, assessed ex situ. Part morphologies formed at crystallization temperatures below 70 °C, induced by reduced laser exposure times, are characterized by a nano-spherulitic structure, exhibiting an enhanced elongation at break. An ambient temperature of 25 °C is associated with the predominant formation of a combined (α + γ)-phase, induced by the rapid cooling and subsequent laser-induced tempering of distinct layers, yielding a periodic microstructural evolution. The presented results demonstrate a novel approach for obtaining nano-spherulitic morphologies, enabling the exposure-based targeted adaption of morphological properties. Furthermore, the thermographic inline assessment of crystallization kinetics allows for the enhanced understanding of process-morphology interdependencies in laser-based manufacturing processes of semi-crystalline polymers.
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spelling doaj.art-abe34d8a4ac44f278f95e59cc5211e962023-11-16T21:26:06ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942023-01-01713310.3390/jmmp7010033Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12Samuel Schlicht0Simon Cholewa1Dietmar Drummer2Institute of Polymer Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Am Weichselgarten 10, 91058 Erlangen, GermanyInstitute of Polymer Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Am Weichselgarten 10, 91058 Erlangen, GermanyInstitute of Polymer Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Am Weichselgarten 10, 91058 Erlangen, GermanyNon-isothermal laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) of polymers suggests the potential for significantly extending the range of materials applicable for powder-based additive manufacturing of polymers, relying on the absence of a material-specific processing window. To allow for the support-free manufacturing of polymers at a build chamber temperature of 25 °C, applied processing strategies comprise the combination of fractal exposure strategies and locally quasi-simultaneous exposure of distinct segments of a particular cross section for minimizing crystallization-induced part deflection. Based on the parameter-dependent control of emerging cooling rates, formed part morphologies and resulting mechanical properties can be modified. Thermographic in situ measurements allow for correlating thermal processing conditions and crystallization kinetics with component-specific mechanical, morphological, and microstructural properties, assessed ex situ. Part morphologies formed at crystallization temperatures below 70 °C, induced by reduced laser exposure times, are characterized by a nano-spherulitic structure, exhibiting an enhanced elongation at break. An ambient temperature of 25 °C is associated with the predominant formation of a combined (α + γ)-phase, induced by the rapid cooling and subsequent laser-induced tempering of distinct layers, yielding a periodic microstructural evolution. The presented results demonstrate a novel approach for obtaining nano-spherulitic morphologies, enabling the exposure-based targeted adaption of morphological properties. Furthermore, the thermographic inline assessment of crystallization kinetics allows for the enhanced understanding of process-morphology interdependencies in laser-based manufacturing processes of semi-crystalline polymers.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/7/1/33non-isothermalpowder bed fusionlaser sinteringlow temperature powder bed fusionpolyamide 12
spellingShingle Samuel Schlicht
Simon Cholewa
Dietmar Drummer
Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
non-isothermal
powder bed fusion
laser sintering
low temperature powder bed fusion
polyamide 12
title Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
title_full Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
title_fullStr Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
title_full_unstemmed Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
title_short Process-Structure-Property Interdependencies in Non-Isothermal Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12
title_sort process structure property interdependencies in non isothermal powder bed fusion of polyamide 12
topic non-isothermal
powder bed fusion
laser sintering
low temperature powder bed fusion
polyamide 12
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/7/1/33
work_keys_str_mv AT samuelschlicht processstructurepropertyinterdependenciesinnonisothermalpowderbedfusionofpolyamide12
AT simoncholewa processstructurepropertyinterdependenciesinnonisothermalpowderbedfusionofpolyamide12
AT dietmardrummer processstructurepropertyinterdependenciesinnonisothermalpowderbedfusionofpolyamide12