Sample selection for models to represent ceramic cores fabricated by stereolithography three-dimensional printing

Abstract

In this study, ceramic cores were fabricated by stereolithography three-dimensional printing (SLA-3DP) with excellent synthetic mechanical properties. To this end, green body samples were first three-dimensionally printed in three models, after which the samples were sintered at different temperatures. High-temperature flexural strengths of the ceramic core samples printed in model 2 reached a maximum value of 24.2 MPa at a sintering temperature of 1250 °C during casting heat test at 1550°C. Meanwhile, the high- and room-temperature flexural strengths of ceramic core samples printed in model 2 were much stronger than those printed in models 1 and 3. Moreover, shrinkage, porosities, bulk densities and phase compositions of ceramic core samples printed in three models at different sintering temperatures did not show obvious differences. The ceramic core samples showed distinct mechanical properties as they had different fracture modes. We call this the “surface effect”. The anisotropy flexural strength was induced by weak binding between layers. The recommended choice of sample for different models to represent ceramic cores fabricated by stereolithography three-dimensional printing is model 2. Herein, based on the results of systematic characterization of high-throughput samples, we report the basic research, evaluation and prediction system of composition design, process optimization, microstructure and property defect analysis of ceramic cores made of SLA-3DP.