Green Laser PBF-LB/M of CuNiSiCr: Process Parameters and Mechanical Properties

Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming increasingly important for processing challenging copper-based functional materials. AM offers the promise of combining outstanding material properties with new design opportunities and enhanced functionalities. While pure copper offers high thermal and electrical conductivity, its mechanical properties are insufficient for applications requiring high strength. Therefore, precipitation hardening alloys like CuNiSiCr can be utilized to achieve high functional and mechanical performance simultaneously. In the study presented, the copper material CuNiSiCr was processed using a 532 nm laser via powder bed fusion for metals (PBF-LB/M). The investigation of a suitable high-density process window yielded a relative density of 99.89% ± 0.03%. Build orientation effects on the tensile properties were investigated, with median ultimate tensile strengths decreasing to 235MPa (90°) from 262MPa (0°). The findings of this study indicate that the advantages of green laser PBF-LB/M persist for the used CuNiSiCr alloy, with comparable relative density achieved at a lower energy input.