Polymer supplierINEOS Styrolution与传统PA12的3D打印相比，基于实验性造型的3D打印粉末可能会节省67％。
令人印象深刻的数字（考虑到整个生命周期）是公司Polysls项目的一部分测试的结果，该项目由该项目资助。German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. PolySLS officially concluded in November of 2020, and was aimed at developing a novel styrene-based polymer powder for the SLS 3D printing process, with a key focus on energy savings and environmental sustainability.
Yvonne van Veen, Market Innovation Strategy Director at INEOS Styrolution, states, “With the additive manufacturing industry growing at very high rates, we are excited we have developed a material that not only contributes to energy saving and sustainable production but also is an easy material to handle in the printing process.”
基于聚合物的SLS的可持续性
Selective laser sintering, or SLS, is a powder bed fusion technology that uses high power lasers to melt raw materials into solid layers. According to a recent life cycle analysis study conducted by chemical specialistBASF和软件开发人员实现, around50% of the powder used in SLS据报道变成浪费。虽然可以回收使用的粉末，但这种做法通常会导致问题使3D打印零件不适合性能依赖性工程应用。
A core issue is a surface texture problem known as the ‘orange peel’ effect, whereby the cooling of the powder once it leaves the build chamber causes shrinkage. This is often remedied by mixing it with fresh powder, but this goes against the sustainability trying to be achieved by recycling in the first place.
尽管存在缺点，但3D打印仍被称为“可持续性”。最近的一项物质调查表明，有76％的制造商认为，添加剂制造是一种比常规制造商更可持续的生产方法。
In truth,the sustainability of 3D printing is not a simple yes/no dilemma. In fact,according to auniversity research paper commissioned by the增材制造商绿色贸易协会(AMGTA), 3D printing has ahigher average carbon footprint, per kg of material processed, than conventional manufacturing. This is largely dependent on part geometry and production volume, however, as it is preferable to mass-machine simple solid cubes, whereas it would be best to 3D print a small batch of complex lattices.
得出类似的结论researchers from MIT, Yale, and the University of Nottingham. Again, part geometries that lent themselves better to the additive process were seen to reinforce 3D printing’s reputation as a ‘green technology’.
Styrenics-based polymers for 3D printing
Looking at the results of INEOS’ study, around 25% of the energy savings were as a direct result of lower process temperatures, and shorter heating and cooling phases. As such, the time needed to complete print jobs was significantly reduced. Specifically, the company’s styrene powder had an average processing time 7.5% shorter than that of PA12. When material production was taken into account, however, the total energy savings almost tripled to 67%, giving an indication as to just how impactful powder recycling can be when it comes to sustainability.
INEOS的全球应用程序开发经理，Polysls项目负责人Bianca Wilhelmus看到了苯乙烯材料家族的巨大潜力：“基于Styensics的材料继续使我惊讶。即使在首次生产聚苯乙烯之后的90年，仍然有新的东西要探索。基于造型的材料具有令人难以置信的有益特性。”
就目前而言，新材料仅在Polysls项目中看到了使用。Ineos表示，未来的商业可用性将取决于进一步测试，产品需求和生产能力的结果。
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Featured image shows styrenics-based polymer beads manufactured by INEOS. Photo via INEOS Styrolution.
