1. Sintering process optimization of the additively manufactured pure copper parts through the metal paste deposited process.
- Author
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Alaghmandfard, Reza, Aghayar, Yahya, Ester, David, Mohammadi, Mohsen, Borisoff, Jaimie, and Dotto, Kim
- Subjects
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MECHANICAL properties of metals , *ELECTRIC conductivity , *COPPER oxide , *PROCESS optimization , *CARBON oxides - Abstract
The fabrication process, sintering cycles through two sintering methods, microstructural and texture characterization, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of metal paste-deposited copper parts were investigated in this study. In the first condition, samples were air-debinded for carbon content removal followed by a sintering cycle. A sintering profile with the maximum sintering temperature and time of 1080 °C and 1 hr. was implemented after performing the air-debinding cycle at 250 °C for 2 hrs. In the second condition, samples were sintered in the environment of copper oxide for carbon removal in the early stages of the sintering cycle, i.e., 1070 °C for 1 hr and 1080 °C for 1, 2, and 3 hrs. The microstructural observations revealed coarser grains in the air-debinded samples, perhaps due to additional generated heat during carbon oxide formation, which may produce destructive effects on the boundary (HAGBs, twins, and CSL) volume and densification behavior of copper parts. However, through the second method, much finer grains and higher densities of boundaries were detected in the microstructure. Despite the significant effect of sintering conditions on the microstructure, texture interpretations revealed minor changes in the pole figures for different situations. Using the second sintering method and owing to the less carbon content and based on the density of the boundaries and their configurations, higher electrical conductivity (98.4±1.3 % IACS) was recorded by sintering the green parts. The comparison between the data from this study with other parts printed through other additive manufacturing techniques demonstrated a superior electrical conductivity level and acceptable balance between strain and strain notably with the sample sintered for 3 hrs. [Display omitted] • The presence of CuO improved electrical conductivity by decreasing carbon content. • Superior mechanical properties from increased sintering time and temperature. • Higher boundary density measured in CuO-assisted samples. • High porosity level observed in air-debinded samples owing to high carbon content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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