Influence of Ageing and Post-Processing on the Mechanical and Aesthetic Stability of PA12-Based 3D-Printed Components for Medical Devices

TL;DR

This study examines how aging and post-processing affect the durability of 3D-printed PA12 components used in medical devices.

Contribution

The study reveals that SLS-printed PA12 components with industrial dyeing maintain better mechanical stability over time compared to HP MJF-printed ones.

Findings

SLS-printed PA12 components show superior resistance to degradation compared to HP MJF-printed ones.

Industrial dyeing with DM60 helps retain mechanical properties of PA12 components over time.

SLS-processed PA2200 material shows enhanced stability after 12 months, especially when dyed.

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical performance of polyamide 12 (PA12) components fabricated using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and HP Multi Jet Fusion (HP MJF) technologies, with particular emphasis on the effects of DyeMansion post-processing techniques. The primary objective was to evaluate the long-term durability of additively manufactured parts intended for use in medical environments, with ageing simulated over a 12-month period. Experimental findings indicate that specimens produced via SLS exhibit superior resistance to physicochemical degradation processes compared with those manufactured using HP MJF. Moreover, industrial dyeing with the DM60 system was found to significantly contribute to the retention of mechanical properties over time. Notably, the SLS-processed PA2200 material demonstrated enhanced mechanical stability after 12 months, particularly in the dyed configuration. These results highlight the critical role of both manufacturing technology and post-processing strategies in ensuring the long-term reliability of PA12 components, especially in applications subject to stringent mechanical and environmental requirements, such as in the medical and industrial sectors.

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