A preliminary study about high-pressure homogenization as a viable alternative to produce powder feedstock for selective laser sintering of biopolymers

Selective laser sintering is an established technique for producing complex plastic components, yet its broader adoption is limited by the scarcity of commercially viable materials. This study evaluates high-pressure homogenization, a fully mechanical process, for producing micronized biopolymer particles as a sustainable feedstock for selective laser sintering. The biopolymer powder was characterized in terms of morphology and flowability, followed by processability validation on a selective laser sintering machine using both simple and more complex geometries. The resulting 3D printed components were assessed for dimensional accuracy and subjected to dynamic mechanical characterization. By offering an industrially scalable method for biopolymer powder production, high-pressure homogenization expands material options for selective laser sintering, advancing sustainable additive manufacturing.