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Planar and Three-Dimensional Printing of Conductive Inks
Published on: December 9, 2011
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Multi-Material Direct Ink Writing (DIW) for Complex 3D Metallic Structures with Removable Supports.
Chao Xu1, Bronagh Quinn1, Louis Laberge Lebel1
1Mechanical Engineering , Polytechnique Montreal , C.P. 6079, succ. Centre-Ville , Montreal , Québec H3C 3A7 , Canada.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 29, 2019
Summary
Multi-material direct ink writing (DIW) enables complex 3D steel structures using removable supports. Copper infiltration enhances conductivity and stiffness, while alumina supports prevent contamination.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Additive Manufacturing
- 3D Printing
Background:
- Direct ink writing (DIW) is an accessible additive manufacturing (AM) method for metallic structures.
- Single-material DIW struggles with creating complex 3D structures due to inseparable support materials after thermal treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multi-material DIW method for fabricating complex 3D steel structures with removable supports.
- To investigate the impact of different support materials (copper and alumina) on steel structure properties.
Main Methods:
- Developed a multi-material DIW process using steel as the primary material.
- Utilized lower melting temperature copper or ceramic (alumina) as removable support materials.
- Post-deposition thermal treatments were applied to the printed structures.
Main Results:
- Copper infiltration resulted in a hybrid steel-copper structure, improving electrical conductivity by 400% and mechanical stiffness by 34%.
- Alumina supports were physically and chemically stable, providing removable support without contaminating the steel structure.
- Characterized dimensional shrinkage, surface roughness, filament porosity, electrical conductivity, and tensile properties.
Conclusions:
- Multi-material DIW with removable supports is a viable method for fabricating complex 3D steel structures.
- Copper infiltration offers significant enhancements in electrical and mechanical properties.
- Alumina supports provide a clean and effective method for creating intricate geometries in steel AM.
Keywords:
additive manufacturingcomplex 3D metallic structuresdirect ink writingmulti-materialremovable supportMore Related Videos
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