Microengineering of ceramics by direct ink-Jet printing

A modified piezoelectric drop-on-demand ink-jet printer was used to build 3 -D ceramic structures with cavities and overhangs by direct ceramic deposit ion. Inks in the form of zirconia and carbon suspensions were prepared with suitable viscosities and surface tensions. The multinozzle printer was use d to microengineer small components in which support structures were create d from the carbon ink and the carbon was removed after pyrolysis of the org anic vehicle but before sintering the zirconia. The viability of this proce ss is discussed in terms of machine limitations and ink drying problems.