Laser additive manufacturing of copper– chromium–niobium alloys using gas atomized powder

Abstract

Abstract Copper-chrome-niobium alloys exhibit excellent thermal and electrical properties combined with high strength at elevated temperatures. Additive manufacturing techniques such as laser metal deposition using powder as raw material offer the potential for rapid solidification as well as a high freedom of design to manufacture parts layer by layer. Powder samples of copper- chrome-niobium alloys were produced by gas atomization. Via laser metal deposition, bulk volumes without cracks and with a very low porosity can be built up. Rapid solidification leads to the formation of fine precipitates which are likely to be (Cr,Fe)2Nb. The precipitates are distributed homogeneously in the copper matrix. The copper crystals grow across the layers due to epitaxial nucleation on the preceding layer.