Filament Feed Materials for Fused Deposition Processing of Ceramics and Metals

Fused Deposition of Ceramics (FDC) and Metals (FDMet) are SFF techniques, based on commercial FDMTM technology, for fabrication of ceramic and metal components. The FD processes use feed material in the form of filaments which require certain phy~ical and mechanical properties. FDC and FDMet processes employ fila.n::ents formed from ?erannc ~r metal powders mixed with thermoplastic polymers. The thermoplastic polymers act as bmder dunng the FDC and FDMet processing in forming a green part. Development of green ceramic or metal fIlaments for FDC or FDMet processing involves three critical steps : selection of an appropriate binder chemistry, appropriate mixing procedures and fIlament fabrication techniques. This study describes the properties required for filaments for successful FD processing and the approach taken in the development of a series of binder which meets these requisite properties for a wide range of ceramics and metals. Appropriate mixing and filament forming techniques are also discussed.