Preparation, characterization and coloring mechanism of 3D printed colorful ZrO2 ceramics parts

ZrO 2 ceramics are widely concerned with aesthetic decoration materials. It has a relative good resultant mechanical properties among ceramics, and it also can be provided with the beautiful colors blending the additives to reach the best artistic effect. This work mixed the colorful ZrO 2 ceramic pastes with Co 3 O 4 , Cr 2 O 3 and Er 2 O 3 , respectively, formed the colorful ZrO 2 ceramic parts by SLA-3D printing technology, and then sintered the colorful ZrO 2 ceramic parts at high temperature. The coloring mechanism of colorful ZrO 2 ceramic parts was investigated and the optimum printing process was obtained. The results indicated that when the cobalt oxide contents is not exceed 5 wt.%, the color of zirconia ceramic parts can be changed enough. The coloring quality of blue zirconia ceramics was mainly dominated by the forming of oxides of Al, Co and O elements. The final coloring quality of zirconia ceramics with chromium oxide was mainly determined by the forming of a solid solution containing Al, Cr and O elements. Finally, the pink, green and blue colorful school emblems of Shandong University with complex shapes were prepared successfully, which verifies the feasibility of our proposed scheme of aesthetic decoration material preparation.