PLA/PBAT composite powder prepared by thermally induced phase separation for selective laser sintering

The application of selective laser sintering (SLS) across various industries is limited by the narrow range of available polymers. It is essential to develop new materials for SLS using sustainable methods. In this study, poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) composite powders with great flowability were prepared in different ratios using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). The particle size, morphology, and wide sintering window of the PLA/PBAT composite powders demonstrated their suitability for SLS. Optimized process parameters enabled the successful manufacturing of various specimens via SLS. Tensile tests revealed that the addition of PBAT improved the mechanical properties of the composite, with 3.5 wt% PBAT yielding the best results. PLA/PBAT composite powders produced via this environmentally friendly method were shown to be viable for use in SLS.