Ceramic 3D printing: where are we and what challenges do we have?

Recently, I started a project involving ceramics 3D printing and started a literature review about it. Materials I previously used were all polymer-based, I wanted to know further about what is ceramic 3D printing, and why it's important. Then, I found out about this webinar by Lithoz, and here's a notetaking of it.

1. What is ceramics: non-metallic, inorganic solid.

2. Traditional ceramics: silica & clay (e.g. bricks, tiles, pottery)

3. Advanced (technical) ceramics (superior corrosion/oxidation resistance)

4. Classification of ceramics by material

   1. Oxide: at least one oxygen atom. Al2O3 (alumina), ZrO2 (zirconia), SiO2 (silica), MgO (magnesia)

   2. Non-oxide (Carbide, nitride): no oxygen atoms. Complex fabrication, Si3N4 (silicon nitride), AlN (Aluminum nitride), BN (Boron nitride), B4C (Boron carbide)

5. Classification of ceramics by function

   1. Mechanical properties

   2. functional ceramics: optical, chemical, biological

6. Why is ceramic a useful important material? Ceramics stand when other materials fail.

   1. High hardness, abrasion, and heat resistance

   2. Mechanical & dimensional stability

   3. Mechanical strength at high temp

   4. Corrosion/oxidation resistance

   5. electrical/thermal insulation

7. Potential application 1: Medical

   1. Bioinert/Bioresorbable

   2. non-allergic

   3. low thermal/electrical conductivity

   4. No artifacts on CT/MRI

   5. Easy to sterilize

   6. High mechanical strength & resistance

8. Potential application 2: Aerospace

   1. Design freedom

   2. Reduced lead-time

   3. Small scale fabrication

   4. Dimensional accuracy & reproducibility

9. Process of 3D printing ceramics

   1. CAD

   2. 3D print

   3. Debind / sinter

   4. final product