Investigation of a novel additive manufacturing process for copper alloys based on the non-vacuum electron beam technology

Aim of the project is the investigation of a novel additive manufacturing process using atmospheric electron beam technology and an assessment of its potential. To utilize the high power and power density of the non-vacuum electron beam, a wire-based process for large, near net-shape products is focus for this research project.

To enable an economic application, the NVEB it is of paramount importance to be able to make use of the high power and high power density of the electron beam. Furthermore, the efficiency of the energy transfer is largely independent of material type. Copper alloys, which are relevant materials for the use in seawater conditions, are chosen to be investigated to assess the possibilities the NVEB-AM process. These exemplary applications serve only as a test-bed for the process. Other materials, process variations and later industrial applications can always be derived from the results of this project.