The Materials Advantage of the SLS Selective Laser Sintering Process

The rapid prototyping market continues to progress in tenns of processes and materials \nused for the creation of conceptual and functional parts and prototype tooling. As this market \ncontinues to mature, the market leaders win be able to offer rapid prototyping processes and \nmaterials that provide parts which are accurate, have good surface finish, and provide properties \nwhich support fqnctional applications.. The materials used for these parts will be. polymers, metals, \nand ceramics. '. The strength oithe SLSTM Selective Laser Sintering Process is the. potential to use a \nwide variety of powdered materials for the creation of models, patterns, and some fonns of \nprototype tooling. ,This paper will cover the types of materials currently used in the SLS process \nand their inherent advantages.and discuss current research into the development of new materials.