| Abstract Scope |
Extrapolating from the success of additive manufacturing for the polymer and metals industries over the past 20 years, it would appear that additive manufacturing of ceramics is in a similar position to significantly impact ceramic fabrication. But this extrapolation appears to be over-driven. Additive manufacturing technologies are not “one-size fits all” solutions to ceramic forming problems, with each approach having pros and cons that reasonably restrict application to specific needs or products. In general, with limited exceptions, the 3-D printing of ceramics faces serious obstacles that are rooted in the nature of powder flow, processing science, and sintering limitations. With these caveats in mind, it would seem that the focus on additive manufacturing should be carefully reconsidered and more judiciously applied in selected areas rather than as a panacea for understanding the foundation and science of ceramic processing. |