3D Printing of ZrO2 Ceramic using Nano-zirconia Suspension as a Binder

3D printing is applied to fabricate complex structure green ceramic parts rapidly. In this study, ZrO2 ceramic were fabricated by 3D printing and sintering operation. In the 3D printing process of ZrO2 green bodies, zirconia/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mixture was chosen as a precursor powder material, while nano-zirconia suspension as a binder. Green bodies were sintered at 1400 degrees C for 2 hours. The effect of nano-zirconia suspension content on physical and mechanical properties of fabricated ZrO2 ceramic bodies was studied. It was found that the increment of binder content from 50% to 125% would result in an increase of relative density of green bodies. Also, it gives an increase of relative density and bending strength of the sintered bodies and a significantly decrease of linear shrinkage of sintered bodies.