Graded PA6/PA12 blends prepared by selective laser sintering

In this study, the manufacturing of graded PA6/PA12 blends by selective laser sintering (SLS) was investigated. Sintered blend specimens were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy and flexural tests. The PA6/PA12 parts with functionally-graded composition in the Y and Z directions were built by SLS. Information on the pure component properties and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered blend specimens was used for the design and fabrication of the PA6/PA12 parts with functionally-graded compositions. These parts showed different microstructures depending on the process parameters and blend compositions, which demonstrates the potential of the SLS process for manufacturing parts with property gradients.