Laser-Based 3D Printing of Cu and Cu Alloys: Challenges, Solutions and Their Typical Applications

Cu is a fundamental material for a large variety of industries including electrical power system and electronic industry. Laser processing of pure Cu is challenging because of Cu’s very low absorptivity to most laser beams, and this difficulty is applicable to the recently developed laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM) as well. How to realize high-quality LPBF forming is urgently pursued in order to maximize its advanced manufacturing potential in directly making various Cu parts.