Lithoz and ORNL collaborate on additive manufacturing of high-temperature ceramic parts.
Laser-Induced Slipcasting technology enables complex, more efficient 3D printing.
Goal is to create high-performance ceramics for extreme temperatures in aerospace and beyond.
Lithoz GmbH and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Harness 3D Printing Technology for Extreme Temperatures.
The Austrian company Lithoz GmbH and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) of the US Department of Energy have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to advance high-temperature ceramics.
The focus is on utilizing Lithoz's 3D printing technology to conduct research in processing non-oxide ceramics for additive manufacturing, aiming to produce 3D-printed parts capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures. The collaboration seeks to make the additive manufacturing of these ceramics scalable for industrial applications.
Lithoz employs the new 3D printing technology, Laser-Induced Slipcasting (LIS). This technology utilizes laser slurry drying, allowing computer-controlled light amplification to dry liquid-embedded layers of solids.
The objective is to produce complex geometric parts, especially on a larger scale than previous molding processes permit. The technology also accommodates a broader range of materials, including dark ceramics like silicon carbide and silicon nitride.
The ORNL-Lithoz agreement focuses on further developing and testing the technology. Performance testing involves using common oxide ceramic material initially. Subsequent steps include 3D printing from primary materials like silicon nitride and silicon carbide, which are then removed from the molded component in a subsequent step.
This phase is crucial for achieving the cooperation agreement's main goal: creating high-performance ceramics for extreme temperatures, particularly in demand in the aerospace industry. Once the debinding step is complete, the substance is solidified through sintering, followed by testing for performance and properties.
Additively manufacturing ceramic parts for extremely high temperatures at an industrial level opens up further applications in aviation, aerospace, the defense industry, and various high-performance applications across industries.
