Influence of processing parameters on tensile properties of PA12 parts manufactured by selective laser sintering

Manufacturing based on the selective laser sintering process has received a lot of attention in recent years because of its ability to produce complex parts without the need for support structures. Although this technology was created for the manufacture of prototypes, it is now applied to the manufacture of finished products. For this reason, the mechanical behavior and strength of the printed parts are of paramount importance. These are highly dependent on the process parameters which, if set at the right levels, can give better results. This paper focuses on the experimental study of the effect of four SLS parameters, such as laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness, and scan spacing on tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and elongation at break. The specimens were printed at three angles, namely, 0 & DEG;, 45 & DEG;, and 90 & DEG;, in order to study the influence of the orientation of the parts on their tensile properties. One hundred thirty-five polyamide 12 specimens were printed according to Taguchi's L9 table. Subsequently, a series of tensile tests were conducted; the results obtained allowed to determine the strength and stiffness of the examined specimens. Then, validated regression models were generated. The obtained results will be interesting for a future development of SLS parts with better tensile strength, higher stiffness, and better ductility.