Copper Alloy Powder for Lamination Shaping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing copper alloy powders for lamination shaping face challenges in achieving a balance between mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, as additive elements like chromium easily form solid solutions with copper, leading to decreased conductivity.

Innovation Solution

The use of copper alloy powders with additive elements that have a solid solution amount to copper of less than 0.2 at % reduces solid solution formation, thereby enhancing mechanical strength while maintaining high conductivity. Specific additive elements such as W, Zr, Nb, Nd, Y, Mo, Os, or Ru are preferred for their ability to improve mechanical strength without compromising conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additive elements like chromium are added to copper alloy powder to improve mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but electrical conductivity decreases due to solid solution formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the compositional parameters by selecting additive elements with specific solid solution characteristics (less than 0.2 at% solid solution to copper) to resolve the contradiction between strength and conductivity. This parameter change in element selection allows achieving both improved mechanical strength and maintained electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite copper alloy powder system where additive elements are selected based on their minimal solid solution formation with copper. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both enhanced mechanical properties and preserved electrical conductivity by carefully composing the alloy system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If rapid heating and rapid cooling are used in lamination shaping to achieve complex shapes, then shaping capability is improved, but control over product structure becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaping capabilityVSAvoidstructure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the thermal processing parameters by introducing a holding temperature step between heating and cooling. This parameter change in the thermal cycle allows the material to achieve both the shaping capability of rapid processing and the structure control of moderated cooling, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for the production of lamination shaped products with a relative density of 98% or more, conductivity of 50% IACS or more, and a 0.2% yield strength of 700 MPa or more, effectively achieving the coexistence of mechanical strength and conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating a certain portion of the powder layer with a beam or a laser to sinter it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam heating: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

irradiating a certain portion of the powder layer with a beam or a laser to sinter it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

irradiating a certain portion of the powder layer with a beam or a laser to sinter it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 4

when additive elements are contained, these elements form a solid solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid solution formation: Solid Solution Strengthening

Data Source

PatentUS20250083227A1Copper alloy powder for lamination shaping, lamination shaped product production method, and lamination shaped product
Publication Date: 2025.03.13 JX ADVANCED METALS CORP

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a copper alloy powder for lamination shaping comprising a copper alloy, a method for producing a lamination shaped product and a lamination shaped product, which can achieve coexistence of mechanical strength and conductivity. One aspect of the present invention relates to a copper alloy powder for lamination shaping, including at least one additive element having a solid solution amount to copper of less than 0.2 at %.