Additive manufacturing of ceramics from thermoplastic feedstocks

Ceramics are a class of materials delicate to shape due to their inherent inability to plastically deform. Conventional shaping processes utilizing thermoplastic feedstock that mimic plastic deformation were successful in providing ceramic parts with high quality, but with limited shape complexity. Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the shaping of ceramics, allowing for realization of components with increased complexity and precision. This paper reviews the current state of AM technologies with emphasis on the techniques based on modelling of thermoplastic feedstocks. Namely, fused filament fabrication (FFF) is widespread and cost-effective AM technology, however, limited by relatively low resolution and poor surface finish. On the other hand, thermoplastic 3D printing (T3DP), emerged recently as a high-precision, high surface finish AM technology. With further development in these processes as well as materials that can be shaped, it is expected that thermoplastic feedstock based processes will be more prominent in AM of ceramics.