Ceramic binder jetting additive manufacturing: Effects of particle size on feedstock powder and final part properties

Abstract Binder jetting is a promising additive manufacturing method to fabricate a wide range of materials, including ceramics. The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of particle size on flowability and sinterability of the feedstock powder and resultant properties of fabricated parts. A commercial ceramic composite powder was sieved into three different particle size ranges: designated as fine, medium, and coarse powders, respectively. Flowability and sinterability measurements were performed on the sieved powders. After printing and sintering, the density of samples was measured with the Archimedes’ method. Compressive tests were performed to investigate the mechanical properties of the fabricated parts. The experimental results showed that flowability increased, but sinterability decreased as particle size increased. The printed and sintered density was dependent on both flowability and sinterability: the highest density was achieved by the medium powder due to the balance between flowability and sinterability. The compressive strength was dominated by sinterability: the highest strength was achieved by the fine powder because of the highest sinterability.