Investigation of porosity behavior in SLS polyamide-12 samples using ex-situ X-ray computed tomography

The paper presents a detailed description of the method of carrying out static tensile tests in ex-situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT) conditions. The study compares samples manufactured with the use of additive technology in two orientations, horizontally and vertically, which correspond to the in-layer and between-layer sintering mechanisms. Both the fracture mechanism and porosity behavior differed significantly for the two manufacturing directions. The conducted analysis made it possible to compare the changes in porosity, the number of pores, and also their diameters and shape before and after the tensile test. This allows for in-depth identification and better understanding of the phenomena occurring during the static tensile test of polyamide-12 samples manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology.