Low-Cost 3D Printing of Controlled Porosity Ceramic Parts

Abstract

This research was initiated to develop low cost powders that could be used on 3D printers. The paper describes experiments that were undertaken with different compositions of clay-based powders, and different print saturation settings. An unexpected sideeffect of printing ceramic parts was the ability to control the part porosity by varying the powder recipe and print parameters. The cost of clay-based powder was, depending on the specific ingredients used, around US$2.00/Kg.