Fabrication of a ceramic core for an impeller blade using a 3D printing technique and inorganic binder. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Eun-Hee; Choi, Hyun-Hee; Jung, Yeon-Gil
• Is Part Of: Journal of manufacturing processes. Volume 53(2020)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Ceramic core -- 3D printer -- Inorganic binder; Production management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Procestechnologie; Productietechniek; Production -- Gestion -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Fabrication -- Périodiques; Manufacturing processes; Production management -- Data processing; Periodicals; 670.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2020.01.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-6125

Abstract

Highlights: Ceramic cores were fabricated through two types of 3D printer and inorganic precursor. Shape stability of the cores prepared by 3D printing is ensured with low thermal strain. The inner core after casting was completely eluted in a NaOH solution of 50 wt%. Real impeller blade was successfully cast with the core and its dimensional precision is excellent. Abstract: Ceramic cores for fabricating an impeller blade were prepared by a process using 3D printing and an inorganic binder system. This process is much simpler than precision casting and can produce ceramic cores with strength suitable for casting. The two types of 3D printer, powder bed binder jet printing (BJP) and selective laser sintering (SLS), with different starting materials were used as 3D printers. The core prepared by the SLS showed a higher strength than that by the BJP because of the smaller particle size of the starting powder, which induces a large specific surface area, resulting in the high coating efficiency of the inorganic binder. The core sample prepared using SLS showed a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that by BJP, indicating that the core made by SLS is more applicable in precision casting. In addition, the core after casting was completely eluted in a NaOH solution. The casting of the real impeller blade casting was very successful and the precision of the product was excellent.