Three-dimensional printing of high laser reflectivity metals and metal matrix composites continues to be a challenge because of loss of laser energy and lack of high-quality composite powders. Modifying powders to enhance the interaction between laser and powder and improve the uniformity of reinforcement is a possible solution. However, traditional powder mixing methods such as ball milling destroy the spherical nature of powders. We report here commercial-scale coating of powder by electroless plating for high laser-reflectivity metals and fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (FBCVD) for composite powders without changing the sphericity. The results indicated that coating high-laser-absorptivity Co and Ni on Al powder enhances the printability leading to good physical and mechanical properties. Similarly, the composite powder made by FBCVD had a good combination of uniformity, sphericity and flowability, which also exhibited improved printability and excellent mechanical properties for the printed bulk composites.

中文翻译：

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用于金属增材制造的商业规模均匀粉末涂料

由于激光能量的损失和高质量复合粉末的缺乏，高激光反射率金属和金属基复合材料的三维打印仍然是一个挑战。改性粉末以增强激光与粉末之间的相互作用并提高增强的均匀性是一种可能的解决方案。然而，传统的粉末混合方法如球磨破坏了粉末的球形特性。我们在此报告了通过化学镀用于高激光反射金属和流化床化学气相沉积 (FBCVD) 用于复合粉末而不改变球形度的商业规模粉末涂层。结果表明，在铝粉上涂覆高激光吸收率的 Co 和 Ni 提高了印刷适性，从而获得了良好的物理和机械性能。相似地，