Extrusion-based 3D printing of ceramic components

Engineering ceramics are becoming more and more important in the nowadays-industrial landscape. Thanks to the exceptional combination of good mechanical, thermal and chemical properties, they find applications in many industries. Nevertheless, the traditionally used manufacturing technologies for processing ceramics lack the ability to compete in a market of complex shaped components and customized solutions. Additive Manufacturing (AM) can provide an important contribution in this context, given the nearly unlimited freedom in design, and flexibility. This research specifically aims at developing an extrusion-based additive manufacturing technology using UV-curable dispersions. The homogeneity, rheology and printability of these dispersions, containing from 22,5%vol to 55%vol ZrO2 in different commercially available UV-resins were investigated. A sintered density of 92% was obtained for produced parts, proving the potential of the technology in development.status: publishe