Laser sintering metallogel for volumetric metal additive manufacturing
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsWilliam Compel, Christopher Spadaccini, Marcus A. Worsley
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Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment, a metal part includes a geometric three-dimensional printed structure consisting essentially of pure metal. In accordance with another embodiment, a metallic precursor resin includes a metallopolymer material including a metal-thiolate polymer. The metallopolymer material is a metallogel. The metallogel is substantially transparent and has a viscosity for enabling three-dimensional printing thereof.
Claims18
A three-dimensional printed metal part formed by heating a structure formed of a metallopolymer material having a microstructure comprised of a metal-thiolate polymer for removing the polymer, the metal part comprising,
- a geometric three-dimensional printed structure consisting essentially of pure metal.
A metallic precursor resin comprising,
- a metallopolymer material comprising a metal-thiolate polymer,
- wherein the metallopolymer material is a metallogel,
- the metallogel is substantially transparent,
- the metallogel has a viscosity for enabling three-dimensional printing thereof.
A method of forming a three-dimensional metal structure having a complex geometric shape, the method comprising:
- forming a three-dimensional structure using a metallopolymer material having a microstructure comprised of a metal-thiolate polymer;
- and
- heating the three-dimensional structure for removing the polymer, thereby forming the three-dimensional structure consisting essentially of pure metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.