Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of a Ceramic Material Fabricated Using Additive Manufacturing Technology

Additive manufacturing (AM) of ceramics has rapidly evolved over the past decade, enabling the production of complex, high-precision components with tailored porosity and geometry. Among AM techniques, stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) are particularly promising for fabricating dense and functional oxide ceramics. However, the final properties of printed ceramics are strongly affected by sintering conditions, layer geometry, and microstructural uniformity. This study presents a two-stage experimental approach to evaluate the influence of sample geometry, layer thickness, and sintering schedule on the mechanical and microstructural performance of SLA-printed ceramic parts. In Stage I, the relationships between elastic modulus (Ec) and compressive strength (σc) were examined as a function of sample height, layer thickness (0.05 and 0.10 mm), and firing program. In Stage II, the effects of sintering temperature (1250, 1271, and 1300 °C) and holding time (2–20 min) were analyzed for the reference geometry. Microstructural characterization, including pore size distribution and quantitative porosity analysis, was conducted to establish correlations with the mechanical results (Stage III). The findings reveal that optimized sintering and geometry parameters can significantly enhance mechanical performance and reduce porosity variations. The study provides both scientific insights and engineering guidelines for improving the structural reliability of SLA-fabricated ceramic components.