Ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) provides a freeform fabrication method for creating complex ceramic structures that have been extremely difficult to build by traditional manufacturing processes. One of these additive methods is binder jetting (BJG), which is flexible in locally depositing dopants and less costly than stereolithography (SL) or selective laser melting (SLM) processes, but the final product’s density is low due to the large amount of binders. Hence, the mechanical properties, such as strength, of BJG parts are not as robust as those of the parts produced by SL/SLM. Enhancing relative density is vital to meet design requirements.

The researchers at University of Iowa have developed a new process named hydrothermal-assisted transient binder jetting (HTBJ), which utilizes a water-based hydrothermal mechanism to fuse particles, by eliminating the use of binders in forming green bodies. This invention is a new ceramic AM process, that can manufacture parts with higher relative density, higher functionality, and purity.

UIRF Case No. 2020-019

• Fabricated components have higher relative density
• Manufactured parts have less post-manufacturing effort

Song X., et al. Hydrothermal-Assisted Transient Binder Jetting of Ceramics for Achieving High Green Density. JOM. 2020 Mar;72(3):1307-13.