Zetamix Porcelain

In order to make sure the 3D prints with the Zetamix Porcelain filament are successful, it is highly recommended to read the User Guide (Downloads). It contains tips on what parameters to use to achieve the desired parts.

Since the Zetamix Porcelain filament is much softer than plastic filaments, it is recommended to use a driving gear that will not crush the filament, for example a grooved driving gear. It is essential to extrude the Zetamix Porcelain filament with a clean, preheated extrusion system. To prevent filament grinding, it is advisable to insert the filament without applying any pressure initially. Gradually increase the pressure until the filament smoothly passes through the PTFE tube.

For obtaining the best surface quality the manufacturer recommends using a flexible build plate, with a nozzle diameter between 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm and a printing speed of 5 - 40 mm/s. More printing parameters can be found in the User Guide in the Downloads section.

Parts 3D printed with the Zetamix Porcelain filament must undergo the process of debinding and sintering.

The recommended debinding process consists of two steps: chemical debinding and thermal debinding:

1. Chemical debinding - this step should remove about 12 % of the weight of the part.

1. Solvent bath: the part should be submerged in an acetone bath at 40 ºC for 24 hours. The heat should be stopped a few hours before removing the part from the bath.

2. Drying: Once taken out of the acetone bath, the parts should be dried in ambient air on a tissue. Similarly to the previous step, this can take 2 or more hours, depending on the part geometry and wall thickness.

2. Thermal debinding - the parts should be placed on a crucible on a refractory powder bed. This will accommodate shrinkage and support the part during debinding. The tested and recommended process takes 2.5 days and consists in gradually raising the temperature from 50 ºC to 500 ºC at a rate of 7 ºC per hour.

If the user does not have a sintering furnace such as the Zetamix tubular sintering furnace, the sintering must to be contracted with the manufacturer with the help of the Nanoe sintering coupon. It should be kept in mind that a change of volume will occur due to shrinkage and the scale in the laminating software should be modified before 3D printing (see Design Guide in Downloads).

The sintering process has three steps resumed below:

1. 50 ºC > 1250°C at a 125°C/h pace, in 10 hours.

2. Holding time 2h.

3. 1250 °C > 50 ºC at a 125°C/h pace, in 10 hours.

If the parts are to be enameled, the sintering must be stopped at 1000 °C to pre-sinter the parts. Once the enameling has been applied (by dipping the part or with a brush), the sintering process must be restarted up to 1250 °C.

More information on the debinding and sintering process with the Zetamix Porcelain filament, as well as on the printing parameters, can be found in the Guidelines document in the Downloads section.