Advanced Understanding and Control of Polymer Sintering
Additive Manufacturing technologies are being used in increasingly robust applications. Laser Sintered polymers in particular are being used in a number of safety critical products.
Burton Snowboards uses the technology to make functional bindings that are tested on snow by their pro-team. We are conducting research with the university's Department of Materials to gain a deeper understanding of how the laser sintering process works and how we can improve the mechanical properties and repeatbility of parts made.
Using analytical techniques such as differential scanning calorimerty, low and high shear rheometry, melt flow indexing and gel permeation chromatrography we are gaining a deep insight into the factors that influence properties of parts.
This insight is helping us to improve the laser sintering process and to identify new materials that will open new possibilites - not only for snowboarding but also for a range of industry sectors such as aerospace, automotive, medical etc.
Funding body
IMCRC/EPSRC
Project duration
30 months; December 2008 - September 2011
Project team (Investigators)
- Dr. Neil Hopkinson (Principal Investigator)
- Dr. Barry Haworth (Co-Investigator, Department of Materials)
Staff from AMRG
- Dr. Dave Hitt
- Dr. Candice Majewski
- Mr. Mike Vasquez
Industrial collaborators
For more information contact
Neil Hopkinson
n.hopkinson@lboro.ac.uk
01509 227529