Improved precision and mechanical properties of 3D‐printed silica ceramics via sintering temperature optimization

Abstract Ceramic cores are the key components of precision casting hollow turbine blades, and 3D‐printed silica‐based ceramic cores are crucial to the development of the aerospace industry. However, silica‐based ceramic cores have problems in terms of mechanical properties and friction properties. In this paper, silica ceramics were prepared by stereolithography‐based 3D printing technology and processed at different sintering temperatures. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure, physical–mechanical properties, and friction and wear properties of the silica ceramics was investigated. The results show that, with the increase of sintering temperature, the average particle size and bulk density of the samples increased, while the open porosity and layer thickness decreased. The surface of ceramics became more and more flat with the increase in temperature. The flexural strength first increased with increasing temperature, and then suddenly decreased at 1350°C. The average surface roughness decreased with increasing temperature. The wear of the material decreased with increasing sintering temperature and increased at 1350°C. The optimum sintering temperatures were 1250°C and 1300°C, giving a flexural strength of 23.18 and 23.25 MPa, bulk density of 1.72 and 1.78 g/cm 3 , and open porosity of 24.49% and 23.66%, respectively.