Mechanical behaviour of SLSed PA composites

What is it about?

Additive Manufacturing of polyamide-matrix composites is very interesting for functional prototypes. The paper considers two reinforcements: Aluminium and Alumina, in comparison with unfilled PA. The results of mechanical tests are integrated with the study of how particles join and how specimens break in the micro scale.

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Why is it important?

The results prove that parts are weaker in the direction of growth, than in any direction parallel to the layers. The reason is that Additive Manufacturing causes a stratification of the reinforcing particles, which jeopardizes the strengthening effect.