Effect of print path process on sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance of Al2O3 ceramics fabricated by 3D inkjet-printing

In this study, Al2O3 ceramics parts were printed by inkjet printing technology with different printed paths distributions, such as the spiral printed path, round trip straight printed path and ladder lap printed path. The influences of inkjet printed paths on sintering performance and thermal shock resistance of the Al2O3 green bodies were investigated. The sintering performance of the green sample with the ladder lap printed path is the highest among the three samples. Sintered at 1550 degrees C, its bulk density and porosity reached 3.73 g/cm(3) and 10.80%, respectively. In addition, the thermal shock resistance of the sample with the step print path reached 11 times. The results suggest that the optimization of the printed path provides an effective way to print 3D ceramics with good performances through 3D inkjet-printing technology.