3D Printing and Dimensional Accuracy Control of Ceramic Cores Reinforced by Alumina Fibers

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.05.323

Abstract

Abstract: Aiming at the complex inner cavity structure of ceramic cores for aerospace turbine blades, in order to meet the dimensional accuracy of the cores and thus improve the casting qualification rate of the blades. Silicon oxide-based ceramic cores were fabricated by light-curing 3D printing technology. Fused silica powder, mullite powder and alumina powder are used as raw materials, and alumina fibres with different mass percentages of fibre lengths of about 48-100 μm are added as the second phase to investigate their effects on core performance and dimensional accuracy. When the fibre content was 3.5 wt%, most of the fibres exhibited a directional distribution within the printed layer due to the action of the squeegee in the print lay-up, and their surfaces became a fast channel for crack expansion, reducing the flexural strength. With the gradual increase of the fibre content to 10.5 wt%, some fibres showed disordered distribution and connected the interlayer cracks, and the pull-out of the fibres at the time of fracture required a large amount of free energy, which improved the bonding strength of the printed interlayer. The addition of alumina fibres successfully prepared ceramic cores with low shrinkage and high creep resistance, resulting in a significant improvement in core dimensional accuracy.

Key words: ceramic cores, alumina fibers, 3D printing, dimensional accuracy, shrinkage

CLC Number:

TG241

XU Xiqing, LI Shiyuan, YANG Yongkang, ZHOU Yulong, NIU Shuxin, LI Xin. 3D Printing and Dimensional Accuracy Control of Ceramic Cores Reinforced by Alumina Fibers[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(5): 323-329.

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