SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INERT ENVIRONMENTS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING

Systems and methods for providing inert manufacturing and processing environments. In certain embodiments, a build box having green parts that were manufactured via binder jetting additive manufacturing is sealed with a lid and heat cured in an oven. A supply of process gas is delivered to the build box to provide an inert environment within the build box during the heating process, which results in an exhaust of gaseous species from the build box and prevents contamination from the ambient environment. In certain embodiments, copper-alloy parts are manufactured via binder jetting additive manufacturing in an inert environment to achieve higher final densities after post-processing and sintering.