Abstract: A process is provided to remove a selective amount of material from a metal part fabricated by additive manufacturing in a self-terminating manner. The process can be used to remove support structures and trapped powder from a metal part as well as to smooth surfaces of a 3D printed metal part. In one embodiment, selected surfaces of the metal part are treated to make the selected surfaces at least one of mechanically and chemically unstable. The unstable portion of the metal support can then be removed chemically, electrochemically, with a pressure differential, and/or through vapor-phase etching. In one embodiment, the metal part may comprise one or more of an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, and a copper alloy. The process can be used to modify any fluid or vapor-accessible regions and surfaces of a 3D printed metal part.

Abstract: A process is provided to remove a selective amount of material from a metal part fabricated by additive manufacturing in a self-terminating manner. The process can be used to remove support structures and trapped powder from a metal part as well as to smooth surfaces of a 3D printed metal part. In one embodiment, selected surfaces of the metal part are treated to make the selected surfaces at least one of mechanically and chemically unstable. The unstable portion of the metal support can then be removed chemically, electrochemically, with a pressure differential, and/or through vapor-phase etching. In one embodiment, the metal part may comprise one or more of an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, and a copper alloy. The process can be used to modify any fluid or vapor-accessible regions and surfaces of a 3D printed metal part.

Abstract: A process for depositing a metal includes disposing a liquid deposition composition on a substrate, the liquid deposition composition including a metal cation; a reducing anion; and a solvent; evaporating the solvent; increasing a concentration of the reducing anion increases in the liquid deposition composition due to evaporating the solvent; performing an oxidation-reduction reaction between the metal cation and the reducing anion in response to increasing the concentration of the reducing anion when the reducing anion is present at a critical concentration; and forming a metal from the metal cation to deposit the metal on the substrate.

Abstract: A process for depositing a metal includes disposing a liquid deposition composition on a substrate, the liquid deposition composition including a metal cation; a reducing anion; and a solvent; evaporating the solvent; increasing a concentration of the reducing anion increases in the liquid deposition composition due to evaporating the solvent; performing an oxidation-reduction reaction between the metal cation and the reducing anion in response to increasing the concentration of the reducing anion when the reducing anion is present at a critical concentration; and forming a metal from the metal cation to deposit the metal on the substrate.