Highly porous compressible polymeric powders

摘要

A process for forming polymer powders by dissolving one or more polymers in a suitable solvent, followed by atomizing the solution into a droplet atmosphere of a non-solvent to precipitate polymer particles. The particles are separated from the non-solvent, washed and dried to produce a powder with a rounded particle morphology, high internal porosity and surface area, and high apparent density. Polymer powders with these properties can be pressed to dense shaped articles suitable for sintering in automated presses because the powders have good low and compressibility characteristics. The process if particularly useful when applied to soluble polymners that are not readily shaped by melt processing means.