Effect of synergism of solid loading and sintering temperature on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of 60 vol% high solid loading ceramic core obtained through stereolithography 3D printing

Solid loading has a significant effect on the curing behavior of slurry and the microstructure and properties of the ceramic core. A high-solid loading slurry can effectively improve the sintering densification of ceramic particles and improve the interlayer bonding strength and mechanical properties at both 25 °C room and higher temperatures. Herein, based on the photopolymerization theory of ceramic slurry, the solid loading was increased from 45 to 60 vol% by adjusting the composition ratio of the resin ceramic powder. Additionally, the optimal sintering temperature of the 60 vol% solid loading ceramic core was 1200 °C. The synergistic effect of the solid loading and sintering temperature controls the sintering shrinkage of the sample within 3.2%; the porosity, high temperature, and room temperature flexural strength were approximately 30%, 24 MPa, and 10 MPa, respectively. The printing preparation of high-solid loading ceramic cores can be used to guide optimizing process parameters on an industrial scale.