Researchers at Jiangnan University, China, have developed an innovative technique for 3D printing ceramics in air without the need for support structures. Widely used in fields such as mechanical engineering, electronics, and aerospace, ceramics have presented manufacturing challenges due to their brittleness and hardness. However, the new method allows for the construction of ceramic pieces at various angles, allowing for the production of shapes that were previously not achievable with traditional 3D printing techniques.
Additional support structures are usually required in ceramic 3D printing to prevent unsupported parts from collapsing. This not only affects printing efficiency, but also causes problems when removing supports. To overcome these challenges, Professor Liu Ren and his team at Jiangnan University developed a new printing paste and improved curing technique. The paste, a photosensitive ceramic slurry, quickly solidifies and gains strength when exposed to near-infrared (NIR) light. With the proper NIR radiation intensity, the material retains its shape in air after extrusion.
The new technique can instantly solidify filaments of multiple scales ranging from 0.41mm to 3.5mm in diameter, successfully creating various ceramic structures such as torsion springs and cantilever structures. According to Liu, the printed curves can spread freely in space without support, and the printing process is continuous and smooth without the need for heating or cooling.
This cutting-edge development in ceramic 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing in ceramic-dependent industries. With this breakthrough, engineers and designers will have more flexibility to create complex ceramic components for a wide range of applications, opening up new possibilities in mechanical engineering, electronics, aerospace, and beyond.
The groundbreaking findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications, which you can read for yourself at this link.
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