Research progress on laser additive manufacturing technology and its defect control for ultra-high temperature oxide ceramics

Abstract

Ultra-high temperature oxide ceramics present high strength, hardness, and outstanding oxidation and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures, which are ideal high temperature structural materials for long period service under the high temperature oxidizing environment. Laser additive manufacturing (LAM) technology has become the most promising near-net-shaping technology for fabricating large and complex parts due to its unique advantages of high efficiency, rapid flexible manufacturing, and free-form net shaping without molds. In this paper, the technology principles, the process characteristics, and the research progresses have been overviewed for three representative LAM technologies: the selective laser sintering, the selective laser melting, and the laser engineered net shaping for the manufacturing of the ultra-high temperature oxide ceramics. The defect control methods during the LAM processes for oxide ceramics have also been investigated in detail. Finally, the development trends and the breakthrough points have been prospected for the LAM ultra-high temperature oxide ceramics.