Fabrication of complicated silicon carbide ceramic components using combined 3D printing with gelcasting

The possibility of obtaining complex structure SiC ceramic components by 3D printing and gelcasting was demonstrated. PEG was used to improve the surface quality of SiC specimen and sucrose was used as the carbon source. Effects of PEG and sucrose on the stability and rheological properties of SiC slurry were studied. The mechanism of inhibiting SiC surface exfoliation by PEG and the effect of different sucrose content on the properties and microstructure of SiC ceramic were investigated. The results showed that the addition with 1.0 wt% PEG and 4.0 wt% sucrose can improve the surface quality and sintered body properties of SiC ceramics. Therefore, a complex structure SiC impeller, which had good surface quality and properties, was successfully fabricated.