Study on Copper Additive Manufacturing (ongoing)
A technology study on the status quo of copper in AM.
Study on Copper Additive Manufacturing (ongoing)
A technology study on the status quo of copper in AM.
Study description
Copper and its alloys offer excellent material properties in terms of electrical and thermal conductivity. Believed as one key material supporting the electrification of transportation, AM can play a significant role by enabling innovative applications.
Out of the 18 different metal AM technologies AMPOWER categorizes today, vendors of half a dozen technologies have introduced processing of copper. Suppliers of another 6 technologies invest into research to make the material available for their process.
AMPOWER conducts the technology study to assess the maturity of processing copper materials with Additive Manufacturing. The analysis includes an evaluation of the specific process chain including the digital processing, the cost and productivity, materials properties, among others.
AMPOWER started to conduct the study in the second half of 2021.
Study aim
The study results will provide an overview on the state-of-art of copper AM technology today and include the technologies such of Powder Bed Fusion with lasers of different wavelength, Powder Bed Fusion with electron beam or Cold Spray. A major focus will be on sinter-based technologies, such as Binder Jetting, Metal Selective Laser Sintering or Metal Material Extrusion.
A list of in total 14 technologies and sub-types will be part of the analysis. The theoratical assessment considers the technology maturity and availability, advantages and limitations of the processes, as well as an extensive look at the cost structure today and potentially in the future.
Empirically, the resulting conductivity and other material properties will be studied. Independent measurements will ensures unbiased results.