3D Printed nanocomposite optical ceramics with temperature-resistant high infrared transmittance

Abstract

3D printing of transparent ceramics has attracted great attention recently but faces the challenges of limited compositional system and low transparency. Herein, transparent Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics with transmittance reaching 98.5 % of the theoretical limit are successfully fabricated using a materials extrusion-based 3D printing method assisted by hot isostatic pressing and the critical factors governing the superior printability and transparency are revealed. Various complex-shaped transparent nanocomposite ceramics are printed at a high resolution of 200 µm. The 3D printed transparent ceramics demonstrate fairly good infrared imaging ability, which significantly enhance its temperature resistant compared with classical infrared transparent sapphire ceramics. Compared with other 3D printed single phase transparent ceramics, the printed multi-phases transparent nanocomposite ceramics have the advantages of design complex microstructure for a targeted set of improved properties, including but not limited to mechanical properties, thermal stability, chemical resistance and optical properties, have great potential to be used in various advanced optical device under harsh environments.