US 2023/0347413 A1 · 3-D PRINTED HYDROPHOBIC METALLIC NANOCOMPOSITES AND METHODS

Abstract

This disclosure, and the exemplary embodiments provided herein, disclose carbon nanotubes (CNT) integrated into 316L stainless steel (SS) powder feedstocks and 3D-printed using selective laser melting (SLM). Ball milling is used to disperse CNT clusters homogeneously onto the surface of 316L SS powders with minimal damage to the CNTs. Hardness increased by 35% and wear was reduced by 70% with the addition of 2 vol % CNT, relative to SLM 316L SS. The addition of CNTs increased the water contact angle and retained the desirable corrosion resistance of SLM 316L SS, demonstrating the potential of 3D-printed SS-CNT composites for use in structural marine applications.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of 3D-printing a hydrophobic metallic body comprising:

generating a composite powder by mixing metal powder with a nanotube material in a high energy ball mill, wherein the high energy ball mill is used to perform multiple milling cycles, wherein each cycle is approximately five minutes of milling followed by approximately five minutes of inactivity for cool-down;
configuring a support structure, wherein the support structure includes large cylindrical support structures along an edge of a target print area of a build plate associated with a 3D printing process used to 3D print the hydrophobic metallic body;
and
printing, using a selective laser melting machine, the hydrophobic metallic body and the support structure with the compositive powder.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/140,271Filed 27 Apr 2023

Priority

27 Apr 2022

Published

2 Nov 2023

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification49 codes

B22F 10/28
Direct sintering or melting: powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
B22F 9/04
Using physical processes: starting from solid material, e.g. by crushing, grinding or milling
B22F 10/43
Structures for supporting workpieces or articles during manufacture and removed afterwards: characterised by material
B23K 15/0086
Welding: welding for purposes other than joining, e.g. build-up welding

3-d printed hydrophobic metallic nanocomposites and methods

Life of this patent

3-d printed hydrophobic metallic nanocomposites and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21