Carola Esposito Corcione, Francesco Montagna, Antonio Greco, Antonio Licciulli and Alfonso Maffezzoli
In this work, the production of ceramic moulds for aluminium casting using a stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) is presented.
Abstract
Purpose
In this work, the production of ceramic moulds for aluminium casting using a stereolithographic apparatus (SLA) is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
Suspensions of silica powders in a photoreactive resin were used in a standard SLA equipment in order to build green parts. SLA, SLA‐250 (3D System, Valencia, CA) was modified in order to fabricate a ceramic green parts.
Findings
A characterization of mechanical properties of the material samples was performed. Finally, moulds for aluminium casting were obtained either using the stereolithographic part as a green mould, either by pyrolisis of the organic binder and subsequent sintering at high temperature.
Research limitations/implications
Future investigations will be devoted to optimise the process and the mechanical performances of the sintered parts, improving the rheological properties of suspensions and reducing the building time.
Originality/value
This is a novel work on the production of ceramic moulds for aluminium casting using a SLA.