Metals for industrial 3D printing
3D printing copper
CuCP and CuNi2SiCr
3D printing with copper
3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry by enabling the production of complex geometries and individual designs. In particular, 3D printing with copper opens up new options in various industries. Copper is characterized by excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, which makes it a sought-after material for applications in electronics, energy technology and mechanical engineering.
Properties of copper and its alloys
Pure copper has high thermal and electrical conductivity, which is essential for the manufacture of components with efficient heat and power transfer. However, pure copper is relatively soft and cannot withstand mechanical stress in certain applications. For this reason, copper alloys such as CuNi2SiCr are often used, which offer improved mechanical properties in addition to valuable conductivity. These alloys combine the advantages of copper with increased strength and hardness, making them more suitable for industrial use.
Advantages of 3D printing copper
- Good electrical and thermal conductivity
- Very good corrosion resistance
- Very high tensile and yield strength
- Homogeneous copper structure
- Very high density (> 99.5%) enables high-gloss polishing
Advantages of the material in additive manufacturing
3D printing with copper enables the realization of complex geometries and individual designs that would be difficult or impossible to implement using traditional manufacturing methods. Production times and costs can be significantly reduced thanks to tool-free manufacturing. In addition, the additive manufacturing process allows the production of components with internal structures that ensure optimized performance and efficiency. This is particularly advantageous for applications where weight savings and specific design requirements play a role.
Advantages at a glance:
- Complex geometries & individual designs: Implementation of shapes that are difficult to realize with conventional methods.
- Cost-efficient: Reduced production times and costs thanks to tool-free production directly from digital data.
- Optimized components: Integration of internal structures for higher performance and efficiency.
- Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity: ideal for applications in electrical engineering and thermal management.
Applications of 3D-printed copper components
Additive manufacturing with copper opens up new possibilities for innovative components in many industrial sectors.
Electronics and electrical engineering
Thanks to its high conductivity, copper is ideal for electrical components such as power electronics and antennas. Coils and inductors can also be made more efficient thanks to additive manufacturing.
Thermal management and cooling
3D-printed inductors with internal channels improve heat dissipation and increase efficiency in high-performance applications. Heat exchangers, copper heat sinks for LEDs and computer chips benefit from effective heat dissipation.
Mechanical engineering and automotive industry
3D printing with copper enables the production of highly resilient, customized components. Motor components with optimized heat conduction increase the performance and service life of drives. Lightweight and durable copper components also reduce the weight of high-performance motors.
Medical technology
Copper has antibacterial properties that make it ideal for medical instruments.
3D printing with copper at FKM
As a full-service 3D printing service provider, FKM offers additive manufacturing of metals, including copper and its alloys. Using state-of-the-art technologies and in-depth expertise, FKM produces high-quality components for various applications. The company places particular emphasis on quality assurance and provides services such as finishing and assembly in addition to the printing process.
With FKM as your partner, you benefit from customized solutions for your specific requirements in the field of 3D printing with copper.
Copper CuCP
Pure copper - the perfect conductor
Copper is a very good conductor of heat and electricity. However, it is precisely these properties that pose a problem for conventional additive manufacturing processes. Because pure copper reflects the radiation of conventional laser melting systems instead of absorbing it due to its thermal conductivity, copper powder could not be melted and printed until now. With the development of a special pure copper 3D printing process using a green laser (pure copper laser sintering) and the further development of pure copper metal powders in recent years, cost-efficient 3D printing of high-quality pure copper parts is now directly possible.
Properties 3D printing pure copper
CuNi2SiCr
Beryllium-free, corrosion-resistant copper alloy
The beryllium-free, thermally hardenable 3D printed copper alloy CuNi2SiCr combines good thermal and electrical conductivity with very good corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. It retains its high strength even at high temperatures. CuNi2SiCr is therefore ideal for the 3D printing of electromechanical components for high-temperature applications. It is often used where components are subject to high stresses and neither pure copper nor copper alloys containing beryllium are an option.
Properties 3D printing copper CuNi2SiCr
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