Research on manufacturing Cu matrix Fe-Cu-Ni-C alloy composite parts by indirect selective laser sintering

The property of alloy parts can be adjusted conveniently if alloy element powders are used for manufacturing alloy parts by indirect selective laser sintering (SLS), but there have been no reports in this field. Fe, Cu, Ni, C composite powders of two compositions were obtained through a 3D blending way in this paper. Green parts of above composite powder were manufactured by indirect SLS. Then, Cu matrix Fe-Cu-Ni-C alloy composites were produced after green parts had been depolymerized, high temperature sintered and infiltrated by molten Cu. The post-processing of green parts, microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy composites were investigated. The results show: Ni, Cu and C diffuse into gamma-Fe when green parts are being sintered at high temperature and the distributing non-uniformity of alloy elements is eliminated basically; at room temperature, alloy composite microstructures are composed of lower bainite, alpha-Cu precipitated out of gamma-Fe and Fe-Ni after they have been solution treated at 930 degrees C and held at 350 degrees C for 1 h later; the yield strength of alloy composites is near to 400 MPa and the elongation is under 3%. It can be used for manufacturing injection mold or other functional parts by indirect SLS.