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Challenges in 3D Printing of Copper Alloys and Factors Affecting Laser Absorptivity

Release date:

2019-03-18

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Abstract

The absorption rate of metallic materials to laser radiation directly affects the quality of additively manufactured parts. Although significant research has been conducted on the selective laser melting of copper and copper alloys, the high reflectivity of copper at the 1064 nm wavelength remains a persistent challenge.

The laser absorptivity of metallic materials directly affects the quality of additively manufactured parts. Although significant research has been conducted on the selective laser melting of copper and copper alloys, the high reflectivity of copper at the 1064 nm wavelength remains a persistent challenge. Some researchers have performed laser absorptivity measurements on pure copper sheets and spherical copper powders; the results show that pure copper sheets absorb only about 4% of 1064 nm laser energy, while highly spherical copper powders exhibit an absorptivity of 44%, and near-spherical powders around 32%. Low laser absorptivity leads to substantial laser‑energy loss during additive manufacturing, resulting in insufficient melt‑pool temperatures and defects such as unmelted powder, porosity, and reduced density in the final part—factors that further compromise the mechanical, thermal‑conductivity, and electrical‑conductivity properties of the fabricated component.

Keywords:

Particle Size Measurement Methods for Metal Powders

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