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ItalianoCeramics for 3D printing: technical ceramics made with LCM
Ceramics in 3D printing
Which ceramics are available for 3D printing?
Technical ceramics combine high hardness, temperature resistance and electrical insulation. In 3D printing, Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) turns them into small, complex parts – without a mold or tooling.
In LCM, a light-curing suspension of ceramic powder and binder is exposed layer by layer. The part is then debound and sintered – only then is the dense ceramic created.
On the PROTIQ Marketplace, LCM is offered with ATZ, a composite ceramic of zirconia and alumina. Other oxide ceramics such as pure zirconia or alumina are possible on request.
Ceramics at a glance
- Process
- Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM)
- Material
- ATZ (zirconia–alumina)
- On request
- zirconia, alumina
- Hardness (ATZ)
- 1,400 HV10
- Max. application temperature (ATZ)
- 1,200 °C
- Part size
- small parts
- Color
- white
Values for ATZ from the datasheet on the PROTIQ Marketplace. You will find details on the process on the LCM process page.
Materials
Which ceramics can you choose from?
LCM can process various oxide ceramics. ATZ can be ordered directly; other materials are possible on request.
ATZ
Composite ceramic of zirconia and alumina – strong, hard and comparatively uncritical with thick walls.
Learn moreATZ
ATZ: composite ceramic of zirconia and alumina
ATZ (Alumina Toughened Zirconia) consists of yttria-stabilized zirconia at over 79 % by mass and alumina at under 21 % by mass. The mixture combines high strength with high hardness.
Sintered ATZ achieves a flexural strength of 750 MPa and a hardness of 1,400 HV10. It can be used up to 1,200 °C and is electrically insulating. LCM can print walls from approx. 0.15 mm; with ATZ, wall thicknesses over 10 mm are also possible depending on geometry.
Typical applications include wear parts, electrically insulating parts, parts for high temperatures and precision mechanics – from prototype to small batch.
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Properties
What properties do 3D-printed ceramics have?
Sintered ceramics from 3D printing are dense and offer the typical properties of technical ceramics – combined with the design freedom of 3D printing.
- Hard and wear-resistantATZ achieves a hardness of 1,400 HV10.
- Temperature-resistantThe maximum application temperature of ATZ is 1,200 °C.
- Electrically insulatingThe electrical resistivity is approx. 109 Ω·cm at 20 °C.
- Dense microstructureSintered ATZ has a relative density of over 99 % with a porosity below 1 %.
Material data
What are the typical values for ATZ?
The table shows the typical values of ATZ made with the LCM process.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Relative density | > 99 % |
| Porosity | < 1 % |
| Theoretical density | 5.5 g/cm³ |
| Characteristic flexural strength (3-point bending, as sintered) | 750 MPa |
| Compressive strength | 2,100 MPa |
| Young’s modulus | 220 GPa |
| Hardness | 1,400 HV10 |
| Fracture toughness | 6 MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal conductivity | 6 W/(m·K) |
| Max. application temperature | 1,200 °C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | 10.5 · 10−6/K |
| Electrical resistivity (20 °C) | ≈ 109 Ω·cm |
| Specific heat capacity (20 °C) | 500 J/(kg·K) |
Typical values from the datasheet on the PROTIQ Marketplace (as of 2023); not guaranteed properties. The values depend on process control and part geometry. The datasheet in the ordering process is binding.
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Other ceramics
Zirconia and alumina on request
In addition to ATZ, other oxide ceramics can be processed with LCM. Zirconia and alumina are possible on request.
- Zirconia (ZrO2): particularly strong and tough for a ceramic, with low thermal conductivity.
- Alumina (Al2O3): hard, wear-resistant, temperature-resistant and electrically insulating.
With pure zirconia and alumina, the limit for bulky sections is considerably lower than with ATZ. We will be happy to clarify with you whether a material is suitable for your part.
↑ Back to overviewCeramics or alternative?
When are ceramics the right choice?
Ceramics play to their strengths when hardness, temperature resistance or electrical insulation is required. For shock loads or larger parts, other materials are often more suitable.
| Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| High hardness and wear resistance | Ceramics (ATZ) |
| Temperatures up to 1,200 °C | Ceramics (ATZ) |
| Electrical insulation | Ceramics (ATZ) |
| Shock or impact loads | Metal, e.g. stainless steel with laser melting |
| Transparency and temperature resistance | Quartz glass with glass 3D printing |
| Larger parts | conventional ceramic manufacturing or another process |
Good to know
What should I consider with ceramic parts?
Ceramics behave differently from metal or plastic. These points help with the design.
- BrittlenessCeramics are hard but brittle. Avoid sharp notches and shock loads.
- Bulky sectionsVery thick cross-sections increase the risk of cracks during debinding. Uniform wall thicknesses help.
- ShrinkageThe part shrinks during sintering. The shrinkage is taken into account during data preparation.
- Functional surfacesFor fits with tight tolerances, please contact us before ordering – depending on requirements, post-processing is needed.
Ordering
How do I order ceramic parts?
You order ceramic parts directly on the PROTIQ Marketplace. For materials on request, contact us.
- Upload 3D fileUpload your 3D model. The system automatically checks whether the part fits into the build volume.
- Choose categorySelect the ceramics/glass material category. The datasheet is linked to the offer.
- Check the offerCheck the price and production time of the offer.
- OrderOrder directly online or download a binding PDF quote.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about ceramics in 3D printing
Which ceramics can be 3D printed?
With the LCM process, technical oxide ceramics such as ATZ, zirconia or alumina can be printed. On the PROTIQ Marketplace, ATZ can be ordered directly; zirconia and alumina are possible on request.
What is ATZ?
ATZ (Alumina Toughened Zirconia) is a composite ceramic of yttria-stabilized zirconia (over 79 % by mass) and alumina (under 21 % by mass). It combines a flexural strength of 750 MPa with a hardness of 1,400 HV10.
How temperature-resistant are 3D-printed ceramics?
ATZ made with the LCM process has a maximum application temperature of 1,200 °C. Whether a part can withstand the operating conditions must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
Are 3D-printed ceramics electrically insulating?
Yes. ATZ has an electrical resistivity of approx. 109 Ω·cm at 20 °C, which makes it suitable for electrically insulating parts.
How large can 3D-printed ceramic parts be?
The LCM process is designed for small parts. When you upload, the system automatically checks whether your part fits into the build volume. For larger ceramic parts, conventional processes are usually more suitable.
Where can I find the datasheet for ceramics?
You will find the valid datasheet in the ordering process: after you upload your 3D file, it is linked to the respective offer.