Curing performance and print accuracy of oxidized SiC ceramic via vat photopolymerization

Abstract

To improve the print quality of SiC ceramic, an amorphous SiO2 layer is prepared on the surface of SiC by oxidation (SiC@SiO2). The changes in curing depth and width direction of SiC@SiO2 curing sheets with different degrees of oxidation were investigated. The results showed that curing depth increased while curing width decreased with an increasing degree of oxidation. The edge morphologies of SiC@SiO2 curing sheets changed from serration to flat shape with increasing degree of oxidation, and uneven overcuring regions appear in the width direction. Additionally, 12% SiC@SiO2 ceramic was fabricated via vat photopolymerization combined with reaction sintering. The dimensional deviation ratio of printed green bodies increased with decreasing printed line width and pore diameter. The minimum printed line width of 329 μm and pore diameter of 483 μm with good print quality were obtained. Furthermore, the flexural strength of 225.4 MPa and bulk density of 2.77 g cm−3 for sintered 12% SiC@SiO2 parts were obtained.