Materials & Chemicals
Controlling the Size and Shape of Polymer Micropellets
WARF: P130088US01
Inventors: Tim Osswald, William Aquite
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method to form pellets from a polymer melt using high-speed gas.
Overview
Polymer-based pellets are utilized in plastics manufacturing. In particular, very small micropellets and powders are in special demand for processes like selective laser sintering (SLS), which requires particles of specific size and shape to build prototypes.
Controlling these properties is challenging. Previous approaches have been expensive, or work only for some polymers. Such problems have hindered the manufacturing and implementation of a variety of micropellet types.
Controlling these properties is challenging. Previous approaches have been expensive, or work only for some polymers. Such problems have hindered the manufacturing and implementation of a variety of micropellet types.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed a micropelletizing process for controlling the size and shape of polymer particles.
In the process, a thin melt of polymer material is extruded through a nozzle. The stream is fractured as it exits the nozzle using a blast of high-speed gas that generates drag force and breaks up the stream into droplets. The individual droplets cool and solidify into pellets. Factors like temperature, speed and extrusion rate are used to control droplet formation.
In the process, a thin melt of polymer material is extruded through a nozzle. The stream is fractured as it exits the nozzle using a blast of high-speed gas that generates drag force and breaks up the stream into droplets. The individual droplets cool and solidify into pellets. Factors like temperature, speed and extrusion rate are used to control droplet formation.
Applications
- Plastics processing
- Laser sintering
- Polymer-based parts and medical devices
Key Benefits
- Droplets have consistent size and shape.
- Process can be tuned to control droplet properties.
- Droplets can be repeatedly formed and solidified.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Related Intellectual Property
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Michael Carey at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9867