Carbonyl Metals Plant
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Metal objects can be manufactured in much the same way as plastic pieces are printed on a RepRap 3D printer. In the case of the carbonyl metals plant, gaseous metal carbonyls are produced by a carbonyl process. Printing takes place on a metal, ceramic, or regolith base in an atmosphere of these metal carbonyls. Using a laser, portions of the printing base are heated to high temperature which results in a breakdown of metal carbonyl at those locations. Metals are deposited and CO ligands are released. After the initial metal layer is deposited, the laser can be used to heat the previous layer and print new layers on top. Once deposition printing has been completed, the disposable base can be broken off of the metal part and the piece is ready for further finishing.
