Dissolving metal supports in 3D printed metals and ceramics using sensitization

US11504770B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY · US
• The Penn State Research Foundation · US

Inventors

• Owen Hildreth · Tempe, US
• David C. Wright · Spring, US
• Abdalla R. Nassar · State College, US
• Tim Simpson · State College, US
• Christopher Lefky · Tempe, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 16, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 22, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 19, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for fabricating a metal or ceramic component using a 3D printer. An entire 3D printed piece, including both the metal or ceramic component and one or more support structures, is created of a first metal or ceramic material. A sensitization layer is applied to all or part of the 3D printed piece to chemically alter portions of the first metal or ceramic material near the surface making those portions of the material more sensitive to the etching process. The etching process causes the affected material to deplete and separates the component from the support structures without requiring mechanical machining.