Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic-Based Materials

• Published in: Advanced engineering materials Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 729 - 754
• Main Authors: Travitzky, Nahum, Bonet, Alexander, Dermeik, Benjamin, Fey, Tobias, Filbert-Demut, Ina, Schlier, Lorenz, Schlordt, Tobias, Greil, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Additives; Architecture; Ceramics; Curing; Functionally gradient materials; Materials selection; Near net shaping; Three dimensional
• ISSN: 1438-1656; 1527-2648
• DOI: 10.1002/adem.201400097

This paper offers a review of present achievements in the field of processing of ceramic‐based materials with complex geometry using the main additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. In AM, the geometrical design of a desired ceramic‐based component is combined with the materials design. In this way, the fabrication times and the product costs of ceramic‐based parts with required properties can be substantially reduced. However, dimensional accuracy and surface finish still remain crucial features in today's AM due to the layer‐by‐layer formation of the parts. In spite of the fact that significant progress has been made in the development of feedstock materials, the most difficult limitations for AM technologies are the restrictions set by material selection for each AM method and aspects considering the inner architectural design of the manufactured parts. Hence, any future progress in the field of AM should be based on the improvement of the existing technologies or, alternatively, the development of new approaches with an emphasis on parts allowing the near‐net formation of ceramic structures, while optimizing the design of new materials and of the part architecture. Main emphasis of this review is laid on the additive manufacturing of ceramic‐based composites. Fabrication of ceramic components via three‐dimensional printing, selective laser curing, three‐dimensional extrusion freeforming, stereolithography, and laminated object manufacturing clearly demonstrates the high potential for materials science adaptation to additive manufacturing. The studies reviewed in this article will add the scientific base and extend the knowledge for designing and processing of novel advanced ceramic‐based materials with complex geometry (see e.g.: SiSiC macrocellular functionally graded structures) and thus, will stimulate new fields of their applications.