Thermal and electrical characterization of additively manufactured pure Niobium for ultra-high temperature applications
This thesis explores the characterization of pure Niobium (Nb) fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), with a focus on its thermal and electrical properties, which are critical for high-temperature applications. In the context of the INFN_ LNL SPES project, where materials must withstand extr...
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| Formato: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/422895 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/422895 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Niobium--Thermal properties Niobium--Electric properties Niobi--Propietats tèrmiques Niobi--Propietats elèctriques Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials::Assaig de materials |
| Resumo: | This thesis explores the characterization of pure Niobium (Nb) fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), with a focus on its thermal and electrical properties, which are critical for high-temperature applications. In the context of the INFN_ LNL SPES project, where materials must withstand extreme conditions, Nb is evaluated as a potential alternative to traditional refractory metals like tungsten and tantalum. The study first examines the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of the LPBF-manufactured Nb samples, comparing the results against established literature values for standard Nb. The findings indicate that the thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the AM Nb samples are slightly lower than those of the standard Nb. This discrepancy is attributed oxidation phenomenon and to inherent microstructural defects, such as grain boundary irregularities and anisotropy, typical of additive manufacturing processes. Despite these minor differences, the results suggest that AM Nb exhibits properties sufficiently close to those of standard Nb, supporting its viability for certain applications where cost and material efficiency are critical. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging was conducted to further understand the microstructural characteristics of the samples, which revealed common additive manufacturing defects like surface roughness and micro-cracks. These observations help explain the minor deviations in the thermal and electrical properties of the AM Nb samples from the standard ones. In the context of the SPES project, the application potential of LPBF-produced Nb extends beyond traditional uses, especially in components requiring high thermal conductivity and structural integrity. |
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