Laminated Object Manufacturing of Si3N4 With Enhanced Properties
Abstract
The potential to fabricate near net-shape ceramic components of intricate shape is attractive
and offers considerable savings in cost and time. The laminated architecture inherent in many
Rapid Prototyping techniques can be utilized to enhance material properties by providing weak
interfaces at regular intervals, oriented microstructures, and functionally graded compositions. By
design and control of these variables it is possible to enhance the strength, toughness and
performance of components fabricated from structural ceramics. A range of oriented
microstructural features have been investigated in Laminated Object Manufacturing of Si3N4
materials. Changes in the mechanical properties can be related to specific architectures and
microstructural developments which took place during sintering.