Preparation of broadband transparent Si3N4-SiO2 ceramics by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology

Abstract Wave-transmitting materials are a kind of multi-functional materials that protect the normal operation of communication and guidance systems of spacecraft in harsh environments. In this paper, we fabricate a broadband microwave transparent Si3N4-SiO2 composite ceramic with excellent performance through digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology. The influences of sintering temperature on the weight increase rate, density, dimensional shrinkage, phase composition, microstructure, bending strength and dielectric properties of Si3N4-SiO2 ceramic were all systematically studied. The strength of Si3N4-SiO2 ceramic sintered at 1350 ℃ was 77 ± 5 MPa. The relative permittivity of the ceramic is within the range of less than 4, and the loss tangent can be below 0.003. The 3D printed Si3N4-SiO2 ceramic material exhibited excellent wave-transparent performance.