Abstract Scope |
Copper and its alloys exhibit remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion and wear resistance, and antimicrobial properties, as well as good strength and ductility. However, achieving a better-balanced combination of these properties remains a challenge. Additive manufacturing offers a promising solution by enabling control over the microstructure of fabricated parts. This study explores the relationship between metal powder, process parameters, microstructure, and mechanical properties in additively manufactured CuSn10, employing various microscopy techniques. The results demonstrate that adjusting the cooling rate to control the formation of a small, dispersed delta phase enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and strength of printed parts. Additionally, minor variations in powder characteristics significantly impact mechanical properties. Furthermore, an innovative powder modification strategy is employed to achieve high strength and conductivity in copper-based alloys. These findings pave the way for fabricating stronger, highly conductive copper-based alloys using additive manufacturing. |