Optimization of Ceramic Paste Composition for 3D Printing via Robocasting

• Published in: Materials Vol. 17; no. 18; p. 4560
• Main Authors: Przybyła, Szymon, Kwiatkowski, Maciej, Kwiatkowski, Michał, Hebda, Marek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17-09-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: 3-D printers; 3D printing; Additive manufacturing; Additives; Ceramic powders; Ceramics; Extrudability; Extrusion; Formulations; Microspheres; Nutshells; Particle size; Pastes; Polymers; Powders; Printing; Rheology; Three dimensional printing; Wear resistance; Japan; Germany; viscosity; 3D printing; oxide ceramics; robocasting
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma17184560

This article presents a procedure for selecting optimal ceramic paste formulations dedicated to the 3D printing process using robocasting technology. This study investigated pastes with varying ceramic powder particle sizes and different proportions of additives, such as ceramic microspheres and nutshells. This selection process allowed for the classification of ceramic mixtures into those suitable and unsuitable for this additive manufacturing technique. Subsequently, the viscosity of the pastes was measured, and extrudability tests were performed to determine the force required for extrusion and evaluate the quality of the extruded material. In the final stage, the setting time of the ceramic pastes was assessed to establish the drying time of the printed elements. It was found that the length of the extruded band of ceramic paste was inversely proportional to the Al₂O₃ content. Moreover, the extrusion force for samples with varying ceramic powder particle sizes (MG1-MG5) ranged from 133 to 166 N, compared to 77 N for the base sample (BM1). The obtained results enable further development in robocasting additive technology, including the development of a rapid and effective method for validating ceramic pastes used in this process.