3D Printing of Calcia-Based Ceramic Core Composites

Three-dimensional printing has been used as a rapid freeform fabrication process to fabricate a wider range of green ceramic components with complex structures difficult to obtain using traditional ceramic fabrication process. In this study, calcia-based ceramic core composites were fabricated by three dimensional printing and sintering operation. The green bodies were printed using a CaO/TiO₂ powder mixture as a precursor material and ethylene glycol as a binder. They were sintered at 1400-1500 °C for 2 h. The phases and microstructures of these samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of TiO₂ content and the sintering temperature on the density, hydration resistance and bending strength of the sintered bodies was investigated. It was found that increment of TiO₂ content and sintering temperature would result in an increase of density of the sintered bodies and then increase of hydration resistance and bending strength.