Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
The additive manufacturing process Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is ideal for prototypes, small series, models.
Installation space
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950 x 450 x 400 mm
Applications
- Rapid prototyping
- concept models
- Components in small series
- Demanding applications in model making
- architectural models
- Design and art objects
Advantages
- No support structures necessary
- Movable, interlocking parts can be printed in one piece
When 3D printing with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology a plastic powder is applied in thin layers to a building platform. The layers are sintered with a laser beam, causing the powder to be heated to a temperature just below melting point and bonded. Layer by layer, the SLS 3D printed component is built up from bottom to top.
This generative layering process allows undercut contours to be created, even overhanging structures can be printed without any problems. Support structures are not necessary, as the components are stabilised in the powder bed during additive manufacturing.
The 3d printing SLS process is excellent for producing rapid prototypes. The decisive factors are the low costs and the high chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance. Different materials offer the desired properties depending on the intended use:
- Aluminium reinforced (PA-AL)
- Chemically resistant (PP)
- Fibre reinforced (HST)
- Firm and flexible (PA-12)
- Glass reinforced (PA-GF)
- Rubbery (flex)
- Rubbery (TPU)
Suitable materials
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DuraForm HST, fibre-reinforced composite material
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PA 11 (SLS)
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PA-GF (SLS)
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PP (SLS)
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Polyamide PA 12 plastic 3d printing material, technology SLS
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TPU (SLS)
DuraForm HST, fibre-reinforced composite material
Very stiff material with excellent mechanical strength and high Heat deflection temp.
Features:
- Density [g/cm3] 1.2
- Tensile strength [MPa] 48
- E-modul [Gpa] 5.48
- Flexural strength [MPa] 83
- Flexural modulus [Gpa] 4.4
- Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 37.4
- Heat deflection temp @0.45MPa [°C] 184
- Elongation at break [%] 4.5
DuraForm® HST is a fibre-reinforced composite material based on PA12. The 3D printed material combines excellent mechanical strength with high Heat deflection temp (@0.45MPa 184°C). In addition, the material is very stiff. A typical field of application is functional prototypes.
PA 11 (SLS)
Features:
- Density [g/cm3] 1.03
- Tensile strength [MPa] 48
- E-modul [Gpa]
- Flexural strength [MPa] 62
- Flexural modulus [Gpa]
- Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m]
- Heat deflection temp à 0.45MPa [°C]
- Heat deflection temp à 1.81MPa [°C]
- Dehnung bis Bruch [%] 55
- Shore hardness 76D
PA-GF (MJF)
A thermoplastic filled to 40% with glass beads
Features:
- Density [g/cm3] 1.22
- Tensile strength [MPa] 51
- E-modul [Gpa] 3.2
- Flexural modulus [GPa] 2.90
- Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 21.30
- Heat deflection temp @1.81MPA [°C] 110
- Elongation at break [%] 6.00
- Shore Hardness 80D
Advantages:
- High stiffness
- Good elongation at break
- Excellent mechanical properties
- Very smooth surfaces
- High level of detail
MJF-PA-GF is a thermoplastic filled to 40% with glass beads. Optimum mechanical properties are as much a benefit of this material as a high recycling rate of around 70%. In this way, MJF-PA-GF makes it possible to significantly reduce the unit costs of production.
PP (SLS)
Thermoplastic material
Advantages:
- High chemical resistance
- Good resistance to material fatigue
This thermoplastic material combines high chemical resistance with good fatigue resistance. In addition, the slightly elastic PP proves to be extremely temperature resistant.
Polyamide PA 12 plastic 3d printing material, technology SLS
Polyamide (PA) 12 is an engineering plastic that stands out above all for its good mechanical properties.
Features:
- Density [g/cm3] 0.95
- Tensile strength [MPa] 48
- E-modul [Gpa] 1.65
- Flexural strength [MPa] 41
- Flexural modulus [Gpa] 1.5
- Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 4.4
- Heat deflection temp @1.81MPA [°C] 86
- Heat deflection temp @ 0.45MPA [°C] 180 (ASTM D648)
- Elongation at break [%] 20
- Shore Hardness 75D
Advantages:
- High strength & stability
- Flexible Protoypes
- Minimum wall thickness
- Good resolution and detail
- High variety of variants
- Versatile after-treatments
- No support material (support necessary)
Polyamid (PA) 12 is an engineering plastic which is particularly striking because of its good mechanical properties. At the same time, PA 12 offers high strength and toughness as well as excellent sliding and wear behaviour. These properties make this plastic a particularly good material for robust components.
TPU (SLS)
Elastic and wear-resistant material
Features:
- Density [g/cm3] 0.78
- Tensile strength [MPa] 2.1
- E-modul [Gpa] 0.01
- Flexural modulus [Gpa] 0.1
- Elongation at break [%] 200
- Shore hardness 59A
Advantages:
- Elastic & wear resistant
- Dynamic resistance
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is an elastic and at the same time wear-resistant material. TPU also offers dynamic resistance.
Note about material properties
Note: Please note that the listed values of the properties (e.g. tensile strength) refer to the properties of the material in an unprocessed state. Hoffmann AM can not guarantee the information below. In the printed state, the values may deviate from the specifications.
If a material in practice is pushed to the limits of the stated values, the component itself should be tested. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
