Functionally Optimized Ceramic Structures

The feasibility of using the Fused Deposition of Ceramics (FDC) process to rapidly fabricate functional quality advanced ceramic components has been demonstrated multiple extrusion heads enable the deposition of spatially engineered ceramic microstructures on the scale of 250 um. This unique capability of FDC allows components to be built with combinations of materials and properties that are difficult or impossible to produce using conventional fabrication processes. Some concepts will be presented, along with examples of multiple material laminates produced using FDC. Strength data will be presented which demonstrates the performance improvement possible using spatially engineered microstructures.Mechanical Engineerin