Slurry-Based 3DP and Fine Ceramic Components

Slurry-based 3DPTM (S-3DPÔ) is a solid freeform fabrication technique developed at MIT for production of fine ceramic components with complex geometries and fired densities in excess of 99% of theoretical density. Current research involves identification of the factors controlling minimum feature size in S-3DPTM. The ink-jet printed binder droplet size is the primary factor controlling the minimum feature dimension when deposited on the powder layers. For a given droplet size, however, a balance between spreading of the binder solution on the surface of the S3DPTM powderbed and infiltration determine the feature size, while interactions between the polymeric binder and the powder surface (polymer adsorption) control the minimum feature cross-section. Droplet-on-demand printing of the binder solution has been introduced to improve resolution, decreasing the minimum feature width from 300 mm to less than 150 mm.