An overview of laser engineered net shaping of ceramics

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) has provided huge versatility in geometry and materials, allowing new products and processes in several areas to be created. Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) is an additive manufacturing process created in 1995 that allows building high-density metals and ceramics parts with no need for further operation. This manuscript aims to study the scientific literature about the process of Laser Engineered Net Shaping related to ceramics. After a systematic review, the articles were grouped into three categories: ceramic coating and AM of ceramics and AM of composites with ceramic reinforcement. Raw materials, substrates, applications, process parameters, and the obtained properties were analyzed and summarized for each group. Most of the additive manufacturing of ceramic parts are related to alumina, which present similar properties when compared to the traditionally manufactured ones. Recent works have the aid of an ultrasonic vibration to homogenize the in-process material, reduce cracks and improve mechanical properties. The additive manufacturing of composites with ceramic reinforcement has been used to create functionally graded composites materials with increased hardness, while the ceramic coating has been employed to manufacture biocompatible coating with increased hardness and low wear rate. Moreover, an additive manufacturing timeline including Laser Engineered Net Shaping landmarks is presented.