Effect of Al2O3 whiskers on forming accuracy, mechanical and tribological performances of translucent glass-ceramics formed by 3D printing

A method of Al2O3 whiskers addition is provided to simultaneously enhance the forming accuracy, and mechanical and tribological performances of translucent glass-ceramics manufactured through vat photopolymerization 3D printing. Al2O3 whiskers (0–15 wt%) were added to a self-prepared fluorapatite glass-ceramic as a raw material. The results demonstrated that the addition of Al2O3 whiskers significantly improved the forming accuracy, mechanical and tribological performances of fluorapatite (FAp) glass-ceramics. The dimensional error of the formed samples decreased by approximately 56% with the addition of 15 wt% Al2O3 whiskers. The glass-ceramics containing 10 wt% Al2O3 whiskers exhibited a flexural strength and fracture toughness of 220.3±13.7 MPa and 1.81±0.18 MPa·m1/2, respectively, representing a 44.1% and 111.8% increase compared to pure FAp glass-ceramics. Furthermore, the addition of Al2O3 whiskers led to reduced wear volume in both the glass-ceramics and titanium balls used as counterparts, indicating improved tribological compatibility.