Zetamix Silicon Carbide

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

For 3D printing complex geometries with support materials, the Silicon Carbide filament can be used as its own support. A soluble support material can also be used. To achieve a great surface quality at least 3 dense top layers should be printed between the support structure and the part.

For obtaining the best surface quality the manufacturer recommends using a glass printing surface. An nozzle with a diameter between 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm (0.6 mm recommended) should be used to 3D print with the Zetamix Silicon Carbide filament. An ultrasonic bath can be used to detach the part from the build plate.

The debinding process consists of two steps: solvent debinding and thermal debinding:

1. Solvent 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. This step will take a minimum of 2 hours or more, depending on the wall thickness and part geometry.

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 3.5 days and consists in gradually raising the temperature from 20 ºC to 700 ºC at a rate of 10 ºC per hour.

The sintering process requires temperatures of over 2000 ºC, which means it has to be contracted with the manufacturer with the help of the Nanoe sintering coupon. This is due to the fact that the Zetamix tubular sintering furnace can only reach temperatures of up to 1550 ºC.

 It should be kept in mind that a change of volume will occur due to shrinkage (16-22 %) and the scale in the slices should be modified before 3D printing (see Design Guide in Downloads). The sintering process has three steps resumed below:

1. RT > 150°C at a 100°C/h pace, under secondary vacuum, in 1 hours and 30 minutes.

2. 150°C > 2200°C at a pace of up to 300°C/h, 1 hour holding time, under partial vacuum (90 mb argon) in 8 hours and 20 minutes.

3. 2200°C > RT at a maximum pace of 300 °C/h, return to secondary vacuum under 1000°C, in 7 hours and 20 minutes.

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

* The typical values detailed in this table should be considered as a reference. Actual values may vary depending on the 3D printer model used, part design and printing conditions. We recommend confirming the results and final properties with own tests. For more information you should consult the technical data sheet of the product.