Selective Laser Sintering of Lignin-Based Composites

Lignin is introduced as a suitable component for selective laser sintering (SLS) of polyamide (PA12) to reduce costs while maintaining or improving processability and performance. Alkali lignin (sourced polydisperse, amorphous powder) was used at volume concentration up 60 vol % three-dimensional (3D) printing complex, layered structures. The latter were obtained high axial aspect objects, produced in flat, flipped (90°), vertical directions, which further examined elucidate the effect SLS. composite withstood heating during SLS, sintered PA/lignin showed 30% less degradation elevated temperatures compared pure PA. morphological, wetting, mechanical, thermal characteristics associated with 3D-printed structures compared. For instance, strength wettability highly dependent on processing orientation. Compared objects from neat PA, those that included presented higher porosity (?10%) simultaneous increase stiffness (increased Young modulus, by ?16%, reduced tensile strength, ?7%). Owing differences surface roughness composition, an important difference water contact angle (CA) samples printed flat orientations observed (55 126°, respectively). Overall, SLS shown developmental step toward valorization composites allowing cost, scalability, facile processing.