Stereolithography-based additive manufacturing of RB-SiC ceramics by a two-step sintering method

Digital light processing technology (DLP) is an effective method to manufacture ceramics with high precision. It is a big challenge to prepare SiC green body with high solid content by DLP method due to the limitation of high light-absorbance of SiC powder in stereolithograhy. Here, we present one novel route for DLP additive manufacturing of high-performance SiC ceramics by introducing low light-absorbance SiO2 powders and a two-step sintering process including carbothermal reduction and reactive melt infiltration. As-prepared SiC ceramic exhibited higher flexural strength of 268.66 ± 10.19 MPa, compared with reported stereolithograhy-based SiC ceramics. This method demonstrates the potential of preparing SiC ceramic composites with high mechanical properties by stereolithography additive manufacturing.