Development of nanoclay/polypropylene nanocomposite powders via a surface coating method

Abstract

This final year project aims to qualify a polypropylene material for selective laser sintering (SLS) process. SLS is a powder-based 3D printing technology that uses a laser as heat source to sinter polymer powders layer upon layer. In this project, polypropylene or nanolay composite powder will be prepared by surface coating. The effect of nanoclay on the resulting composite will be studied. Modification of the nanoclay will be done to improve the interfacial interaction between polypropylene and nanoclay. Characterization tools such as Scanning Electron Microscope, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis will be used to characterize the composite powders obtained. Results obtained will be analysed to study the effect of fiber length and loading on the powder and aid the determination of the optimal experimental method and powder composition. Initial stages of this project will involve small scale production of the composite powder.