Research progress of the defects and innovations of ceramic vat photopolymerization

The developments in ceramic vat photopolymerization technology have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture and application of complex and functional ceramics. At present, there are still defects in parts fabricated by ceramic vat photopolymerization, which are caused by selected materials, layer-by-layer printing, and part processing. These defects restrict the shaping accuracy and performance of ceramic parts and hinder the further application and development of this technology. It is necessary to systematically review the generation and control of defects in ceramic vat photopolymerization. This review summarized the defect types (geometry-related defects and performance-related defects), defect detection methods, theoretical analysis and numerical modeling simulation of defects, defect generation mechanisms, defect control, and innovative methods of ceramic vat photopolymerization. The feasible methods of defect control and performance improvement were proposed, including particle coating, slurry improvement, new green part processing methods, novel printing manners, composite ceramic or precursor, optimized debinding and sintering. The main challenges (caused by both additive printing and traditional processes; caused by the light-curing principle itself; and the right application for various ceramic vat photopolymerization technologies) were discussed, and future research directions for ceramic vat photopolymerization had prospected.