Development of Polymer Nanocomposites for Rapid Prototyping Process

This paper presents initial development of polymer nanocomposites (PNC) material for rapid manufacturing (RM) application. PNC materials containing a polyamide (PA) and nano particles (5wt%) were produced by solution blending with the aim to improve the mechanical properties. Commercial polyamide 6 (PA6) was dissolved in formic acid (HCO2H) together with two different types of nano particle materials: yttrium stabilised zirconia (YSZ) and Hectorite clay (Benton 166) and spray-dried to create powder, creating powder with particle sizes in the range of 10-40 μm. The materials were processed on a CO2 selective laser sintering (SLS) experimental machine. Mechanical properties of the PNCs were evaluated and the results were compared with the unfilled base polymer.