Additive Manufacturing (AM) concerns all classes of materials – polymers, metals, ceramics and glasses as well. For this reason, AM is in the focus of material scientists from all branches. Leaders of the industry realize that the possibilities of 3D printing are endless, and that these possibilities need ways and means to be taken full advantage of. Today, aerospace engineers are using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method for rapid prototyping, part manufacturing, and tooling. They are followed by leaders and engineers from industry (industrial machines, motor vehicles, consumer products, medical/dental) but also from academic institutions and government/military.
The study investigates the structural and thermal properties of zirconia ceramics doped with Sm2O3. The powders were prepared via a mild hydrothermal synthesis route at a temperature of 200 °C, for 2 h with a pressure of 60–100 atm, starting from ZrO2-Sm2O3 compositions. Structural and physicochemical characterization was performed using XRD, SEM-EDAX, BET and FT-IR analyses after synthesis and subsequent heat treatments up to 1500 °C. The results indicate good thermal stability of the materials, while a single cubic phase is achieved after calcination at 1500 °C. The ceramics show low thermal conductivity (0.41 W·m−1·K−1), reduced heat capacity (0.26 J·g−1·K−1), and low thermal diffusivity (0.34 mm2·s−1), with all measured parameters lower than those commonly reported for conventional rare-earth-stabilized zirconia.
1 October 2018 in Scientific Bulletin of Valahia University - Materials and Mechanics
The paper aims to demonstrate the capability of FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing technique to build complex structures designed for replacing anatomic parts of human body. It proposes to push the limits of FDM machine in order to achieve both structural integrity, mechanical properties and complexity of the 3D print part. Main applicability focus on bioengineering - developing new, lightweight implants but also can easily extended to airspace/automotive industry.
This study investigates the application of robocasting technology for fabricating high-density yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolytes used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The primary goal is to overcome the limitations of traditional manufacturing techniques, such as low density and poor microstructural control. Using a combination of hydrothermal synthesis, rheological testing, and robocasting, we achieved dense 8YSZ structures (over 95% density) with minimal porosity. The fabricated electrolytes underwent sintering and debinding processes, with thermal treatment profiles optimized for structural integrity. A microstructural analysis through SEM and XRD confirmed the formation of stable crystalline phase. This research opens new avenues for the use of additive manufacturing in electrochemical applications, particularly for producing complex ceramic components with superior characteristics.