Selective Laser Sintering of Reactive Polymer Powders

Recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, including fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), and stereolithography (SLA), have driven parts manufacturers to shift toward 3D printing technology at an increasing rate. AM processes allow manufacturers to quickly produce parts of common geometries and more easily create parts with less conventional geometries. Currently, most commercial SLS processes employ thermoplastic polymers because they respond to thermal loads, allowing the material to be more easily molded into the shape desired by the manufacturer; however, these polymers are typically not suitable for high-temperature applications. This work seeks to gain insight into how the SLS process works when using thermosetting polymers. Further understanding of the mechanisms by which reactive thermoset powders coalesce and form multilayered parts can lead to the implementation of low-cost, high-performance polymers for SLS manufacturing.