Improving wear resistance of 3D printed alumina-based ceramics via sintering temperature

Ceramic materials with intricate structures can be efficiently fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) based 3D printing technology, offering advantages over traditional methods. Sintering temperature has primary effect on properties of ceramics. This study investigated the crucial sintering temperature for 3D printed ceramics to ensure the desired properties. The results indicate that all samples exhibit a consistent layered structure across the experimental sintering temperatures. When the sintering temperature is increased from 1,250 °C to 1,350 °C, the grain’s morphology changes from spherical to plate-like. Surface morphology analysis reveals a decrease in surface roughness at sintering temperatures above 1,350 °C. Mechanical tests show improved flexural strength and stiffness as the sintering temperature rises. Friction and wear experiments demonstrate that as the sintering temperature increases from 1,450 °C to 1,550 °C, the wear pattern on ceramic surfaces transitions from deep pits to shallow grooves. The increase in sintering temperature effectively enhances the wear resistance of 3D printed alumina ceramics. This improvement plays a significant role in expanding the application field of these ceramics, prolonging the lifespan of parts, reducing production costs, enhancing performance, and promoting environmental protection. In this study, ceramics achieve the highest strength and best wear resistance when sintered at 1,600 °C, resulting in the best overall performance.