METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COMPONENT CONTAINING COPPER USING SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for producing a component containing copper by selective laser sintering, comprising the following method steps: —providing (S1) a metal power containing a copper-chromium alloy; —selectively melting (S2) the metal powder by laser radiation to produce the component; —heating (S3) the component to a temperature in the temperature range between 900° C. and 1000° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; and —removing (S4) a chromium oxide layer formed on the surface of the component.

Claims

1. A method for producing a component containing copper by selective laser sintering, comprising the following method steps: providing (S1) a metal powder containing a copper-chromium alloy; selectively melting (S2) the metal powder by laser radiation to produce the component; heating (S3) the component to a temperature in the temperature range between 900° C. and 1000° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; and removing (S4) a chromium oxide layer formed on the surface of the component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a metal powder containing a copper-chromium-zirconium alloy is provided for the selective melting (S1).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a metal powder containing a CuCr1Zr alloy is provided for the selective melting (S1).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is heated (S3) to a temperature in the temperature range between 900° C. and 1000° C. in the presence of ambient air.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is heated (S3) to a temperature of 950° C.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a removal (S4) of the chromium oxide layer takes place by compressed air blasting using solid blasting abrasive.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the metal powder on a substrate; traversing a cross-sectional contour of the component by the laser radiation; applying additional metal powder to the formed cross-sectional contour of the component; and re-traversing a cross-sectional contour of the component by the laser radiation.

8. A component containing copper that has been produced by one of the methods according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The component according to claim 8, wherein the component is designed as a current-conducting component.

10. The component according to claim 9, wherein the component is designed as an induction coil.

11. The component according to claim 10, wherein the component designed as an induction coil is hollow.

12. The component according to claim 11, wherein two end areas of a hollow induction coil have a closed design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Further advantages, particulars, and features of the invention result from the exemplary embodiments explained below. In the FIGURE:

[0036] FIG. 1: shows a process sequence plan for producing a component containing copper by selective laser sintering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] A metal powder containing copper is provided in a first method step S1. The metal powder provided for the selective melting preferably contains a copper-chromium-zirconium alloy. The metal powder provided for the selective melting more preferably contains a CuCr1Zr alloy. The metal powder is preferably provided on a substrate.

[0038] The metal powder is subsequently melted by laser radiation in a method step S2. During melting of the metal powder, it is heated by the laser radiation at least until the surfaces of the metal powder components are melted. A cross-sectional contour of the component to be produced is preferably traversed by the laser radiation in method step S2. Additional metal powder is subsequently applied to the cross-sectional contour of the component that has already formed, and is then melted once again by the laser radiation, so that the melted metal powder joins to the already produced component.

[0039] After the component has been produced by selective laser sintering, the component is heated to a temperature in the temperature range of 900° C. to 1000° C., preferably to a temperature of 950° C., in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in a method step S3. Ambient air or respiratory air is preferably used as the atmosphere. Thus, no special protective gas atmosphere is necessary during heating of the component. The chromium on the surface of the component oxidizes with the oxygen to form a chromium oxide layer that encloses the component.

[0040] The chromium oxide layer that is formed on the surface of the component is subsequently removed in a method step S4. The removal S4 of the chromium oxide layer preferably takes place by compressed air blasting using solid blasting abrasive.