Mathematical modeling and optimization of PA12 enthalpy and particle size distribution for efficient TIPS process powder production

The optimal combination of input process parameters to enhance polyamide 12 (PA12) powder particle size distributions and improve thermal properties for efficient laser sintering was investigated in this research using response surface methodology (RSM). The desirability function approach was adopted to establish an optimum parameter combination for achieving maximum melting enthalpy (ΔHm) and optimum particle size distribution (PSD). According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), pellet mass, solvent concentration, and temperature had the most significant impact on determining the optimal enthalpy and PSD of the PA12 polymer for the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process. The validation report of predicted data was symmetrically distributed and extremely near to the experimental data of output responses. The most favorable input operating parameters for maximum PA12 powder production via TIPS were established at approximately 6.97 g PA12 pellet mass, 27.93 mL (DMAc), 242.40 rpm (agitation), and a temperature of 140.78°C, respectively, while the optimal melting enthalpy and PSD were 35.74 J/g and 57.59 μm, adequate enough for laser sinterability of the polymer powder. PA12 powder optimization process