Research progress in ceramic slurries and rheology via photopolymerization-based 3D printing

Ceramic 3D printing based on stereolithography has attracted wide attention because it can fabricate complex ceramic components with high dimensional accuracy, good surface finish, uniform microstructure, and excellent mechanical properties. It is one of the important technical means to achieve high-performance parts by additive manufacturing. The core of the technology is to prepare ceramic slurries with high solid loading and good printability, and its composition has a vital influence on the curing effect and printing process. In this review, two main additive manufacturing methods, stereolithography (SL) and digital light processing (DLP), commonly used in ceramic 3D printing were introduced, and advantages and disadvantages of the two methods were compared. Based on the research work in the field of ceramic slurries in recent years, the effects of monomer/oligomer and diluent, dispersant, physical properties of ceramic particles and solid loading on viscosity, shear thinning/thickening behavior, viscoelasticity, yield stress were discussed. Finally, the main development trends and challenges of ceramic slurries via stereolithography were put forward in, and a general guiding principle for the construction of ceramic slurries with high solid loading was provided.