Soo Young Cho1,Dong Hae Ho2,Yoon Young Choi3,Dong Gue Roe1,Yonghyun Kwon1,InCheol Kwak1,Seonkwon Kim1,Jung Woo Moon1,Seonmi Eom1,Sae Byeok Jo4,Jeong Ho Cho1
Yonsei University1,Virginia Tech2,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign3,Sungkyunkwan University4
Soo Young Cho1,Dong Hae Ho2,Yoon Young Choi3,Dong Gue Roe1,Yonghyun Kwon1,InCheol Kwak1,Seonkwon Kim1,Jung Woo Moon1,Seonmi Eom1,Sae Byeok Jo4,Jeong Ho Cho1
Yonsei University1,Virginia Tech2,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign3,Sungkyunkwan University4
Recent advances in metal additive manufacturing (AM) have provided new opportunities for prompt designs of prototypes and facile personalization of products befitting the fourth industrial revolution. In this regard, its feasibility of becoming a green technology, which is not an inherent aspect of AM, is gaining more interests. A particular interest in adapting and understanding of eco-friendly ingredients can set its important groundworks. Here, we demonstrate a water-based solid-phase binding agent suitable for binder jetting 3D printing of metals. Sodium salts of common fruit acid chelators form stable metal-chelate bridges between metal particles, enabling elaborate 3D printing of metals with improved strengths. Even further reductions in the porosity between the metal particles are possible through post-treatments. A compatibility of this chelation chemistry with variety of metals is also demonstrated. The proposed mechanism for metal 3D printing can open up new avenues for consumer-level personalized 3D printing of metals.