Binder jet printing has the potential for high-throughput manufacturing but currently produces parts with high porosity and large shrinkage rates. In this work the conventional organic binder is replaced with a functional metallic binder, composed of; molecular, nanoparticle and micro-particle metallic components. The effect of the addition of nano and micro-particles on the binding mechanism and the overall density and shrinkage of the printed structures are assessed using a correlative workflow analysis. This correlative approach enables the optimisation of this novel binderjet printing process, providing better certification of printed materials and their wider adoption in sectors such as aerospace and automotive.

5 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN DURING THIS SESSION:

1. The importance of material selection in Binder jet printing
2. The importance of characterisation in Additive Manufacturing
3. The need for correlative workflow characterisation in Additive Manufacturing
4. What functional binders are
5.  How functional binders can be used to optimised part performance

Professor Kate Black, Professor of Manufacturing , University of Liverpool