Page 71 - MSAM-3-1

Materials Science in

Additive Manufacturing

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Using agglomerate-free nanopowder as sliding

friction reducer between alumina platelets in an
ultraviolet-curable slurry for vat polymerization

additive manufacturing

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1
3
3
1,2
Ming Xuan Gan *, Lijie Zhang , Guanjin Li , Tao Li , Beng Wah Chua , and
Jiansheng Liu 2
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Advanced Manufacturing, Nanchang University,
Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
3 Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR), Singapore

Abstract

Nature’s ability to adapt and survive the harshest environment offers humankind an
important source of muses in the efforts to create and improve existing materials. In
this study, we demonstrated a concept of using agglomerate-free nanopowder as a
sliding friction reducer between alumina platelets in a slurry. An ultraviolet-curable
slurry containing predominantly alumina platelets exhibited favorable rheological
*Corresponding author: characteristics to align the platelets with a coating blade in a vat polymerization
Ming Xuan Gan printer. Consequently, a ceramic part with nacre-like structure could be printed
(mxgan@nus.edu.sg)
and infiltrated with a secondary phase. Microscopy study on the fracture surfaces
Citation: Gan MX, Zhang L, Li G, revealed various toughening mechanisms such as severing of the bridges between
et al. Using agglomerate-free platelets and crack deflection by the platelets. Fracture of a three-point bent part
nanopowder as sliding friction
reducer between alumina platelets mainly occurred due to the pull-out of platelets and failure of the polymer phase.
in an ultraviolet-curable slurry The findings of this study suggest promising avenues for future research, including
for vat polymerization additive the additive manufacturing of larger objects consisting of nacre-like microstructures.
manufacturing. Mater Sci Add
Manuf. 2024;3(1):2711.
doi: 10.36922/msam.2711
Keywords: Alumina; Platelets; Nacre-inspired; Vat polymerization; Ceramics
Received: January 11, 2024
Accepted: February 19, 2024
Published Online: March 14, 2024 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open Access article Nature’s resiliency to always find its way to evolve and adapt to the environment to
distributed under the terms of the overcome challenges is inspiring to humankind. For instance, hierarchical structures
Creative Commons Attribution that form microscopically and naturally in organisms often possess exceptional
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, mechanical properties. Such fascinating constructions that happen naturally, yet are
provided the original work is difficult to replicate, have motivated humankind to research on their intricacies with the
properly cited. hopes of creating stronger and tougher man-made structural materials. One of such
1-4
Publisher’s Note: AccScience notable examples is nacre. Nacre, found in shells of mollusks, is distinguished by the
Publishing remains neutral with organized brick-and-mortar arrangement of aragonite platelets (95 vol.%) and organic
regard to jurisdictional claims in 5
published maps and institutional lamellae (5 vol.%). This particular architecture of platelets and organic layer imparted
affiliations. impressive strength and ductility through energy redistribution made possible by

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/msam.2711