3D printing of alloys with AB reaction at room temperature

Abstract

The traditional three-dimensional (3D) printing technique requires high energy to break and re-form the metal bonds. Here, we present the latest discovery of the metal polymerization reaction at room temperature with the non-breaking and re-forming bond method, which is similar to the polymerization phenomenon of the AB reaction. The A and B in the AB reaction represent the eutectic gallium–indium liquid metal and transition metal alloy, respectively, and their same atomic structures generate the aggregation to form the new alloy phases, showing that the printed Ga–In–Cu alloy has superior mechanical properties. Moreover, the AB reaction model is established to elucidate the reaction mechanism between the A and the B, which exhibits excellent printable performance. This polymerization reaction of the alloys pioneers a novel approach to the formation of alloys, which has become one of the important trends in future manufacturing industries.