Metal-connected particle articles

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for making metal-connected particle articles. A metal containing fluid is selectively applied to a layer of particles. The metal in the fluid is used to form metal connections between particles. The metal connections are formed at temperatures below the sintering temperature of the particles in the layer of particles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi fluid kit for three-dimensional printing comprising:
 a first fluid comprising metal nanoparticles; and   a second fluid comprising a destabilizing agent.   
     
     
         2 . The multi fluid kit of  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise an iron nanoparticle with a silver coating, a nickel nanoparticle with a polyethylene coating, copper nanoparticle with silver coating, copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate, copper (II) nitrate trihydrate, iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, iron (II) nitrate pentahydrate, copper (II) acetate hydrate, iron (II) acetate, copper oxide, or iron oxide. 
     
     
         3 . The multi fluid kit of  claim 1 , wherein the destabilizing agent comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         4 . The multi fluid kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises a first ink vehicle and the second fluid comprises a second ink vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The multi fluid kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first ink vehicle and the second ink vehicle are the same or different and comprise water, co-solvent(s), and/or surfactant(s). 
     
     
         6 . The multi fluid kit of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the co-solvent(s) include 2-pyrrolidinone, N-methylpyrrolidone, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, or combinations thereof; and   the surfactant(s) has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than 10.   
     
     
         7 . A method of forming metal connections in an intermediate three-dimensional part, the method comprising:
 forming a layer of powder metal particles;   selectively applying a fluid comprising metal nanoparticles and a destabilizing agent on the layer of the powder metal particles; and   heating or destabilizing the metal nanoparticles in the fluid to form metal connections.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the destabilizing agent comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise an iron nanoparticle with a silver coating, a nickel nanoparticle with a polyethylene coating, copper nanoparticle with silver coating, copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate, copper (II) nitrate trihydrate, iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, iron (II) nitrate pentahydrate, copper (II) acetate hydrate, iron (II) acetate, copper oxide, or iron oxide. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the powder metal particles comprise stainless steel powder or copper powder. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid for three-dimensional printing comprising:
 metal nanoparticles and a destabilizing agent in ink vehicle comprising water, co-solvent(s), and/or surfactant(s).   
     
     
         12 . The fluid of  claim 11 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise an iron nanoparticle with a silver coating, a nickel nanoparticle with a polyethylene coating, copper nanoparticle with silver coating, copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate, copper (II) nitrate trihydrate, iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate, iron (II) nitrate pentahydrate, copper (II) acetate hydrate, iron (II) acetate, copper oxide, or iron oxide. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid of  claim 11 , wherein the destabilizing agent comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the co-solvent(s) include 2-pyrrolidinone, N-methylpyrrolidone, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, or combinations thereof; and   the surfactant(s) has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than 10.