Modeling of Polymer Degradation in SLS

A simple computer model has been developed to predict the thermal degradation of polymer binders used in the fabrication of composite green shapes from high temperature ceramic materials. Decomposition rate kinetics of the polymer materials were determined and incorporated into the model. The polymer degradation occurring in three separate powder systems was determined as a function of applied laser energy. Agreement between model results and experimental data is quite good. (Key Words: Polymer, Degradation, Selective Laser Sintering, Composites).