Additive Manufacturing of Dense Alumina Ceramics

In this study, a new process for additive manufacturing (AM) of dense and strong ceramic objects is described. The lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) technique is based on the selective curing of a photosensitive slurry by a dynamic mask exposure process. The LCM technique is able to produce strong, dense and accurate alumina ceramics without virtually any geometrical limitations. With over 99.3% of a theoretical alumina density, four-point bending strength of 427 MPa, and very smooth surfaces, the LCM process distinguishes itself from other AM techniques for ceramics and provides parts with very similar mechanical properties as conventionally formed alumina.