Additive Manufacturing of Advanced Structural Ceramics for Tribological Applications: Principles, Techniques, Microstructure and Properties

Additive manufacturing technology has the advantages of precise manufacturing, high levels of customization, and large-scale molding; it can achieve the design of complex geometric structures and structural/functional integrated components, which is difficult to realize using traditional manufacturing technology, especially for different tribological applications. Ceramic materials are widely used in industries such as high-end manufacturing in aviation, aerospace, energy, and biomedicine due to their excellent wear resistance, high temperature stability, and hardness. The tribological properties of ceramic parts determine their versatility and durability during the application process. The rise of additive manufacturing technology in the field of ceramics has opened up the possibility of creating ceramics with excellent friction and wear properties and overcoming the limitations of traditional manufacturing processes. Although several studies on 3D printing of wear-resistant/self-lubricating metal- or polymer-based parts have been published, there has until now been no comprehensive review of additive manufacturing of advanced structural ceramics and composites for the purpose of reducing friction and enhancing wear-resistant properties. This article discusses the currently used ceramic additive manufacturing technology and processes, the ceramic materials used in the field of tribology, and how the combination of these two can improve the tribological properties of ceramic components from the perspective of micro- and macrostructures. Finally, specific tribological applications of additively manufactured ceramics in various industrial and biomedical fields are also introduced.