Scientists and engineers have devised a novel coating for plastic particles utilized in 3D printing, significantly enhancing their functionality and paving the way for new commercial applications.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Chemistry and Faculty of Engineering have leveraged supercritical carbon dioxide to develop an efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly process for coating PA-12 polymer particles used in 3D printing.
Their study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that the new coatings can impart color as well as anti-mold and anti-fungal properties to the printing process. PA-12 is a robust plastic commonly employed in industries such as automotive and aerospace for printing intricate parts using powder bed fusion or laser sintering techniques.
The breakthrough enables the creation of a diverse range of material capabilities without compromising processability, addressing existing limitations in available properties and materials for additive manufacturing.
Professor Christopher Tuck, from the Centre for Additive Manufacturing in the Faculty of Engineering, highlights two key capabilities of the new process: the addition of coatings for color and anti-fungal properties. This innovation expands the application space beyond the current options of grey or white powders, allowing for the creation of a variety of colored polymers to coat PA-12 particles.
Professor Steve Howdle, Head of the School of Chemistry, emphasizes the significance of the coating in preventing the growth of mold and fungi on objects made from PA-12, enabling their use in moist environments and unlocking new possibilities for 3D printed objects.
Moreover, the seamless integration of this process into existing commercial 3D printing workflows holds potential for transformative impacts on the industry, offering enhanced functionality, streamlined processes, and sustainable outcomes.
