Abstract
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a high-resolution additive manufacturing fabrication technique. To fully understand the process, we developed a computational model, using the finite element method, to solve the flow problem of sintering two viscoelastic particles. The flow is assumed to be isothermal and the particles to be in a liquid state, where their rheology is described using the Giesekus and XPP constitutive models. In this work, we assess the parameters that define this problem, such as the initial geometry, the Deborah number and other dimensionless parameters present in the rheological models. In particular, the conformation tensor is considered, which is a measure for the polymeric strain and plays an important role in the crystallization kinetics of semicrystalline polymers like polyamide 12, usually used in SLS.
Highlights
Sintering can be described as the process where material particles are fused together by heat or pressure, without fully melting the material
Sintering of polymer powder is the basis of selective laser sintering (SLS), an additive manufacturing technique
From the governing equations of the Newtonian constitutive behavior follows that the initial geometry and configuration are the only factors that affect the flow
Summary
Sintering can be described as the process where material particles are fused together by heat or pressure, without fully melting the material. Ceramics, glass and polymers can be used in this process. Capillary forces act to minimize the surface area, where the surface tension is the driving force of the flow. Sintering of polymer powder is the basis of selective laser sintering (SLS), an additive manufacturing technique. SLS is a professional fabrication technique, since it enables the production of almost any shape or geometry. To fully exploit the possibilities, we need to understand the sintering process and the accompanying material aspects in detail
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