Researchers from Jiangnan University, China, have developed a groundbreaking technique for 3D printing ceramics in mid-air without the need for support structures. Ceramics, widely used in fields like mechanical engineering, electronics, and aerospace, have presented manufacturing challenges due to their brittleness and hardness. However, the new method allows for the construction of ceramic parts at various angles, enabling the production of shapes previously unattainable with traditional 3D printing techniques.
Typically, additional support structures are required in ceramic 3D printing to prevent unsupported parts from collapsing. This not only affects printing efficiency but also poses issues when removing the supports. To overcome these challenges, Professor Liu Ren and his team at Jiangnan University developed a novel printing paste and an improved curing technique. The paste, a photosensitive ceramic slurry, solidifies rapidly and gains strength when exposed to near-infrared (NIR) light. With the right NIR radiation intensity, the material retains its shape in mid-air after extrusion.
The new technique can instantly solidify multi-scale filaments 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 extend 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 3D ceramic printing has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing in industries relying on ceramics. With this advancement, engineers and designers will have more flexibility to create intricate ceramic components for a wide range of applications, opening up new possibilities in mechanical engineering, electronics, aerospace, and beyond.
The breakthrough findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications, which you can read for yourselves at this link.
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