ABSTRACT

An especially promising emerging fabrication approach is a group of processing technologies referred to as rapid prototyping, solid freeform fabrication, additive layer manufacture (ALM) or 3-D printing. ALM has rapidly been applied to polymers and is being used commercially for metal components, although its application to ceramics has been slower. The chapter focuses on techniques of powder processing and preconsolidation. An important aspect of powder preparation and preconsolidation is determination of the proper proportions of each powder and additive. The sized powders are compacted into the desired shapes by techniques such as pressing, slip casting, and injection molding and then strongly bonded or densified. Screening is a sorting method of particle sizing. The powder is poured onto a single screen having the selected size openings or on a series of screens, each subsequently with smaller openings. Screening can be conducted dry or with the particles suspended in a slurry.