A Simulation-Based Correlation of the Density and Thermal Conductivity of Objects Produced by Laser Sintering of Polymer Powders

Numerical simulation of the laser-induced formation of shapes from polymer powders is achieved using an extension of a previously developed model of nonisothermal powder sintering. The extended model mimics the Selective Laser Sintering process which is used to produce a multiple layer part via laser irradiation. Model predictions of the physical features and effective thermophysical properties (porosity and thermal conductivity) of the object demonstrate sensitivity to several thermal processing parameters. Predicted values of the effective thermal conductivity and average porosity of the processed item are reported and correlated.