White Paper

Ceramic products have been used for centuries for tableware, tiles and sanitaryware, as well as for several technical applications, due to their desired properties including chemical durability, water impermeability (absence of open porosity) and good mechanical properties. Traditional ceramics are typically produced by conventional methods including pressing, slip casting or extrusion, which are appropriate for the large production volumes required by the traditional ceramic industry. 

However, there are a number of process steps that require a high degree of flexibility in ceramics production, including prototyping, customisation, or small run series. Complex shapes are also often difficult/impossible to produce using these conventional techniques. For such applications, additive manufacturing can provide innovative forming opportunities and can offer the potential of being able to be integrated alongside traditional methods. 

Additive manufacturing is receiving increasing interest from both society and industry with applications currently in the industrial production and consumer markets. To address this need, there are currently several AM techniques on the market which can produce ceramic products. In this white paper we will discuss and compare the different techniques available.