Influence of Carbon Nanoparticle Addition (and Impurities) on Selective Laser Melting of Pure Copper.

Jadhav Jadhav,Yang Yang,Puyvelde Puyvelde,Kruth Kruth,Vanmeensel Vanmeensel,Hofkens Hofkens,Vleugels Vleugels,Humbeeck Humbeeck,Dadbakhsh Dadbakhsh

doi:10.3390/ma12152469

Abstract

The addition of 0.1 wt % carbon nanoparticles significantly improved the optical absorption and flowability of gas-atomized copper powder. This facilitated selective laser melting (SLM) by reducing the required laser energy density to obtain 98% dense parts. Moreover, the carbon addition led to an in situ de-oxidation of the copper parts during the SLM process. The properties of the as-built copper parts were limited to a tensile strength of 125 MPa, a ductility of 3%, and an electrical conductivity of 22.7 × 106 S/m, despite the advantageous effect of carbon on the powder characteristics and SLM behavior. The modest mechanical properties were associated with the segregation of carbon nanoparticles and other impurities, such as phosphorus and oxygen along grain boundaries of epitaxially grown grains. Whereas, the low electrical conductivity was mainly attributed to the phosphorus impurity in solid-solution with copper.

Highlights

Copper is a ductile metal with exceptional electrical (58 × 106 S/m, which is equal to 100%International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS)) and thermal conductivity (400 W/(m·K)) [1].it is widely used in applications, where these properties are of prime importance, such as heat exchangers, heat sinks, etc. [2]
1060–1080 nm), the optical absorption is increased is increased from forlaser purewavelength copper to 67%
The selective laser melting (SLM) of carbon-mixed-copper powder was evaluated in this research

Summary

Introduction

Copper is a ductile metal with exceptional electrical (58 × 106 S/m, which is equal to 100%International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS)) and thermal conductivity (400 W/(m·K)) [1].it is widely used in applications, where these properties are of prime importance, such as heat exchangers, heat sinks, etc. [2]. International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS)) and thermal conductivity (400 W/(m·K)) [1]. It is widely used in applications, where these properties are of prime importance, such as heat exchangers, heat sinks, etc. Conventional manufacturing techniques are unable to fabricate geometrically complex-shaped parts with fine features. Metal additive manufacturing processes, especially selective laser melting, are gaining interest due to their ability to fabricate geometrically complex-shaped parts with minimum waste of starting powder material [4]. Combining the ability to fabricate geometrically complex-shaped parts while using SLM and the very high thermal conductivity of copper, parts with greater heat transfer efficiencies could be fabricated [5]

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Conclusion