![Ceramic 3D printed part lattice structure industrial material pellets direct 3D printing](/assets/images/parts/parts_600_400/ceramic_3d_printed_part_lattice_structure.jpeg)
Technical Ceramics - FFF vs PAM
Produce with industrial quality material at unbeatable cost.
Pollen AM develops its range of industrial technical ceramics and presents the latest results obtained with a 96% alumina feedstock produced by one of the European leaders, Inmatec Technologies GmbH.
![>Inamtec Technologies GmbH logo](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_inmatec_technologies_logo.jpeg)
The following parts were produced on a Pam Series MC system using a Ø 0.4 mm nozzle and a layer height of 0.15 mm. The debinding and sintering processes were carried out in partnership with Inmatec Technologies GmbH.
![>3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed.png)
The use of ceramic feedstock in pellet form allows the Pam Series MC users to benefit from an adapted formulation to their projects at its lowest cost.
![>3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed_price_comparison_filament_vs_pellet_1.png)
![>3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed_price_comparison_filament_vs_pellet_2.png)
Process presentation
These two parts were 3D printed using INMATEC Technologies GmbH feedstock.
Feedstock presentation
The feedstock is based on an alumina powder (Al2O3, 96 %, KMS-96 BO (Martinswerk) and a thermoplastic binder system for the powder injection moulding process.
This material is an industrial CIM feedstock developed by INMATEC Technologies GmbH for injection moulding process.
Green parts need a binder removal in a two-step debinding process before being sintered. ( Discover the process)
First debinding step is dissolving the binder in a water bath.
In the second debinding step the remaining binder is thermally removed.
These general guidelines are based on the processing of test parts with a wall thickness of 5mm.
Material reference: INMAFEED K1008
Ceramic : Aliminium oxid (Al2O3, 96 %)
Powder supplier : Martinswerk
Powder reference : MARTOXID® KMS-96/BO
Binder basis | Polyolefine based binder system. |
Appearance | White to greyish pellets |
Quality after sintering | Al2O3, 96 %, KMS-96 BO (Martinswerk) |
Density | ± 3,8 g/cm3 |
Shrinkage (approx.) | 15,5% |
Main 3D printing settings
![>3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printing_parameters_1.png)
![>3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printing_parameters_2.png)
Green part presentation
![3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed_2.png)
Hexagon with lattice structure : This part has been 3D printed with an internal porous structure.
Laboratory cup : This part has been 3D printed with a 100% infill density.
Debinding steps
Recommendations for the solvent de-binding (water bath)
It is recommended to debind the injected pieces in a circulating water bath at 30 °C.
![3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material thermal debinding cycle](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_thermal_debinding_cycle.png)
Recommendations for the thermal debinding
Segment | From | To | Heating rate | Dwell time | Segment duration | Duration in total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 20°C | 0 h | 0 h | |||
1 | 20°C | 80°C | 180 K/h | 0,3h | 0,3 h | |
2 | 80°C | 80°C | 0 K/h | 4 h | 4 h | 4,3 h |
3 | 80°C | 145°C | 20 K/h | 3,3 h | 7,6 h | |
4 | 145°C | 155°C | 5 K/h | 2 h | 9,6 h | |
5 | 155°C | 160°C | 2 K/h | 2,5 h | 12,1 h | |
6 | 160°C | 160°C | 0 K/h | 4 h | 4 h | 16,1 h |
7 | 160°C | 170°C | 2 K/h | 6,7 h | 22,8 h | |
8 | 170°C | 220°C | 10 K/h | 5 h | 27,8 h | |
9 | 220°C | 300°C | 20 K/h | 4 h | 31,8 h | |
10 | 300°C | 300°C | 0 K/h | 2 h | 2 h | 33,8 h |
11 | 300°C | 20°C | 150 K/h | 1,9 h | 35,6 h |
Sintering steps
Recommendations for the Sintering (oxidic)
![3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material thermal sintering cycle](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_thermal_sintering_cycle.png)
Sintering conditions may be adapted to part geometry and type of furnace
Segment | From | To | Heating rate | Dwell time | Segment duration | Duration in total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 20°C | 0 h | 0 h | |||
1 | 20°C | 300°C | 130 K/h | 2,2h | 2,2 h | |
2 | 300°C | 300°C | 0 K/h | 1 h | 1 h | 3,2 h |
3 | 300°C | 1 500°C | 130 K/h | 9,2 h | 12,4 h | |
4 | 1 500°C | 1 620°C | 40 K/h | 2 h | 9,6 h | |
5 | 1 620°C | 1 620°C | 0 K/h | 1 h | 1 h | 16,4 h |
6 | 1 620°C | 900°C | 130 K/h | 5,5 h | 21,9 h | |
7 | 900°C | 25°C | 160 K/h | 5,5 h | 27,4 h |
Sintered results
![3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material thermal sintering cycle](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed_sintering_results_gyroid.png)
Left : Green part
Right : Sintered part.
![3D printed technical ceramic using industrial ceramic feedtock low cost price comparison filament vs pellet injection molding moulding material thermal sintering cycle](/assets/images/use-cases/technical_ceramics/pollen_am_technical_ceramic_3d_printed_sintering_results_laboratory_cup.png)
Left : Green part
Right : Sintered part.
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