Method and system for production and additive manufacturing of metals and alloys
| 583 - Abstract: |
| The invention relates to an additive layer-by-layer manufacturing technique aiming to produce high-tech 3D metal products (such as titanium alloy components) via thermal decomposition of low-cost metal iodide compounds. The process allows for the production of high-purity metallic alloys and nanocomposites in a way that is not achievable through current metallurgical processing, e.g. casting or gas atomisation, which tend to be either expensive or impure, or both. License agreements are sought. |
Description:
The deposition of metals and alloys is done by decomposing one or more metal iodides using a directed plasma arc source to enable the bulk production of the powder form of the desired alloys. This powder is suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques, which are more raw resource efficient than traditional machining procedures. Metal iodides are quite inexpensive nowadays because they can be formed by reacting metal chloride and hydrogen iodide.
This method is particularly interesting for some metals that are highly valued for their intrinsic properties but their production is very costly due to their high affinity for oxygen at elevated temperatures (Titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr) and beryllium (Be) alloys are good examples). For such materials, conventional metallurgical processes are not suitable.
Innovations and advantages:
By providing an inexpensive way to produce metal powders out of materials that have high affinity for oxygen, this invention allows the application of state of the art techniques, such as additive manufacturing to previously cost-prohibitive alloys.
In the end, the cost savings associated with this technology could revolutionize the general public access to these highly sought-after materials, with their excellent properties providing benefits for several science and application fields.
Domain of application:
Applications and Markets
The technology may be applied in combinatorial metallurgy to combine materials in order to obtain new alloys or in 3D printing.
Intellectual property status
A PCT application has been filed. Looking for license agreements.
