Laser-induced slip casting (LIS) – a new additive manufacturing process for dense ceramics demonstrated with Si3N4

Up to now, there exists a lack of methods for the additive manufacturing of voluminous ceramic parts with properties comparable to those of conventionally manufactured ones. A high density after sintering is needed to reach the superior properties of ceramic materials. We have developed a new additive manufacturing method, Laser-Induced Slip casting (LIS), to generate ceramic green bodies with high particle packing density and with virtually no restriction in the particle size of the feedstock, especially in terms of small particles. This is achieved by laser-induced local drying of slurries, with the process resembling many features of the well-established stereolithography, but without the excessive use of polymeric material. Thus, unlike the stereolithography process, the resulting green bodies can be processed like traditionally produced ceramic parts. This method allows large and dense additive-manufactured parts to be obtained from conventional water-based ceramic slurries. As an example, we will demonstrate the application of this novel technique with Si3N4.