Improving cure performance of Si3N4 suspension with a high refractive index resin for stereolithography-based additive manufacturing

Silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) slurries with high solid loading, low viscosity and good stability is difficulty prepared, due to low intrinsic surface charge and a large refractive index (RI) difference between Si 3 N 4 powder and resin. In this paper, the curing behavior of Si 3 N 4 slurry with different functional group and RI of resin monomer were systematically researched, and then the kind and optimum content of dispersant were investigated. Subsequently, a high solid loading Si 3 N 4 slurry (44 vol%) with good curing behavior, low viscosity and favorable stability was successfully prepared. Lastly, the dense Si 3 N 4 ceramic parts were fabricated by the suitable Si 3 N 4 slurry (44 vol%) via stereolithography . After debinding and sintering process , the relative density and flexural strength of Si 3 N 4 ceramic were 98.28% and 800 ± 27.28 Mpa, respectively.