Additive Manufacturing of Piezoelectric Niobium-Doped Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT-N) by Binder Jetting

Binder jetting is an emerging indirect additive manufacturing technique for ceramic materials, which could be employed to produce application-oriented designed components impossible achieve with traditional processes and featuring enhanced performances. In our study, niobium-doped lead zirconate titanate (PZT-N) powder, usually processed through the standard press-and-sinter route, was as raw material. First, powder characterized in terms of granulometry flowability assess its suitability printing process. Then, shaping by binder studied, effect three levels saturation (75–90–105%) on green bodies assessed. Finally, microstructure sintered samples studied using SEM, investigate thermal treatments grain size distribution residual porosity (~40%). The piezoelectric properties were measured compared those conventionally charge voltage constants (d33 g33) evaluated determine possible use printed parts porous exploited hydrophones direct mode.