Advances in selective laser sintering of polymers

Abstract Polymers are widely used materials in aerospace, automotive, construction, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. being promoted rapidly due to their ease of manufacturing improved material properties. Research on polymer processing technology should be paid more attention the increasing demand for applications. Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a sinter powdered (typical polyamide), it is one critical additive (AM) techniques polymer. It irradiates beam defined areas by computer-aided design three-dimensional (3D) model bind together create designed 3D solid structure. SLS has many advantages, such as no support structures excellent mechanical properties resembling injection moulded parts compared with other AM methods. However, ability process polymers still affected some defects, porous structure limited available types polymers. Therefore, this article reviews current state-of-the-art polymers, including fundamental principles technique, developments typical essential parameters SLS. Furthermore, applications focused, conclusions perspectives discussed.