| Abstract Scope |
Technical ceramics have exceptional high-temperature mechanical properties, but unfortunately their high crack sensitivity and high melting point make it challenging to manufacture complex shapes ceramic structures with sufficient toughness. Additive manufacturing techniques could potentially overcome this challenge, enabling fabrication of large-scale complex-shape artifacts with architected internal topologies characterized by microscale geometrical features with controlled defect population. Direct ink writing, i.e. the three-dimensional extrusion of a rheologically complex fluid, is a particularly versatile technique, thanks to its almost unlimited materials palette. Here, we fabricate micro-architected ceramic structures using direct ink writing (DIW) of an alumina nanoparticle-loaded ink, followed by sintering. First, we characterize the rheology of the ink and extract optimal printing parameters. Next, we investigate the effects of the printing and sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of the ceramic material. Finally, we extend this investigation to the design, fabrication, and characterization of strong 2D and 3D ceramic architected materials. |