11-14-2019: Spectrum Filaments introduced the world's first ceramic filament designed for 3D printing on desktop 3D printers
Ceramic filaments were based on some of the most widely used ceramic materials
On November 14, 2019, Spectrum Filaments—one of Europe’s largest producers of 3D printing materials—launched a new collection of technical filaments. In collaboration with its business partners, Spectrum developed a groundbreaking series of ceramic 3D printing materials for FDM/FFF technology. These four specialized filaments were the first commercially available solution on the market enabling 3D printing of ceramic applications using typical desktop 3D printers.
3D printing of ceramic materials using FDM/FFF technology introduced a novel method for additively manufacturing ceramic components. This technology was primarily geared toward prototyping and low-volume production of intricate parts that couldn’t be produced using other manufacturing techniques. Once a model was formed by the 3D printer, the parts required a series of post-processing steps, including debinding and sintering.
Spectrum’s ceramic filaments were based on polyamide, distinguishing them from other, similar 3D printing materials in wire form, such as metal filaments, which often rely on relatively toxic materials like POM. The parts could be printed at very low temperatures, around 150-160°C, with the build plate set to 40-50°C.
After printing, the part could undergo standard processing such as support structure removal, surface polishing (resulting in a glossy finish), or drilling. This was followed by debinding, where binding agents were removed. Depending on the ceramic type in the filament, the debinding process varied; for instance, some required immersion in a common chemical solution, such as acetone. The final step was sintering in a furnace.
Spectrum’s ceramic filaments were based on some of the most widely used ceramic materials:
Silicon carbide (SsiC)
Silicon nitride (Si3N4)
Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
Zirconium oxide (ZrO2)
These ceramic filaments were tested on the BCN3D Sigma 3D printer, confirming their effectiveness in a desktop setting.
Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl