| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
2025 Technical Division Student Poster Contest
|
| Presentation Title |
SPG-68: Enhancing Investment Casting Through Direct 3D Printing of Silica Molds: A Comparative Study of Thermal Debinding and Sintering Processes |
| Author(s) |
Aabha Chandra, Holly J Martin, Pedro Cortes |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aabha Chandra |
| Abstract Scope |
Incorporating 3D printing into conventional investment casting enhances precision, reduces lead times, and lowers costs and labor. While 3D printing is widely used for casting patterns, the pattern-based process faces limitations in complexity, accuracy, and lead times. Rapid advancements in additive manufacturing are expanding its applicability to investment casting, with significant potential in directly printing silica shells and cores. This study investigates the direct 3D printing of silica molds using a photopolymer resin and silica powder mixture. The printed molds undergo thermal debinding and sintering to create intricate casting molds. These molds are then cast with A356 alloy to produce metal parts. The research aims to compare the performance and properties of 3D-printed molds that are only thermally debinded versus those that are fully sintered, assessing their viability and potential for investment casting applications. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Ceramics, Mechanical Properties |