State-of-the-art review on selective laser melting of ceramics

This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on the processing of ceramics using Selective Laser Melting (SLM). SLM is an Additive Manufacturing (AM) process where powder particles are melted by a laser and fused together to form a layer and subsequently to form a 3-dimensional construct. In recent years, SLM of ceramics is garnering the interest of the research community. Forming techniques of ceramics using conventional as well as additive manufacturing techniques are reviewed. The resultant properties of Silica and Zirconia processed by direct melting are presented. Potential and challenges in laser melting of ceramics are discussed. Topics included are powder and layer deposition process, melting mechanism and modelling, and other melting-based techniques.