Strengthening Effect of Short Carbon Fiber Content and Length on Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Based Printed Alumina Ceramics

Vat Photopolymerization of Ceramic Parts: Effects of Carbon Fiber Additives on Microstructure and Mechanical Performance

Vat photopolymerization (VPP), as an additive manufacturing (AM) technology, can conveniently produce ceramic parts with high resolution and excellent surface quality. However, due to the inherent brittleness and low toughness of ceramic materials, manufacturing defect-free ceramic parts remains a challenge. Many researchers have attempted to use carbon fibers as additives to enhance the performance of ceramic parts, but these methods are mostly applied in processes like fused deposition modeling and hot pressing. To date, no one has applied them to VPP-based AM technology. This is mainly because the black carbon fibers reduce laser penetration, making it difficult to cure the ceramic slurry and thus challenging to produce qualified ceramic parts. To address this issue, our study has strictly controlled the amount of carbon fibers by incorporating trace amounts of carbon fiber powder into the original ceramic slurry with the aim to investigate the impact of these additions on the performance of ceramic parts. In this study, ceramic slurries with three different carbon fiber contents (0 wt.%, 0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, and 0.3 wt.%) were used for additive manufacturing. A detailed comparative analysis of the microstructure, physical properties, and mechanical performance of the parts was conducted. The experimental results indicate that the 3D-printed alumina parts with added carbon fibers show varying degrees of improvement in multiple performance parameters. Notably, the samples prepared with 0.2 wt.% carbon fiber content exhibited the most significant performance enhancements.

The sternum reconstruction: Present and future perspectives

Sternectomy is a procedure mainly used for removing tumor masses infiltrating the sternum or treating infections. Moreover, the removal of the sternum involves the additional challenge of performing a functional reconstruction. Fortunately, various approaches have been proposed for improving the operation and outcome of reconstruction, including allograft transplantation, using novel materials, and developing innovative surgical approaches, which promise to enhance the quality of life for the patient. This review will highlight the surgical approaches to sternum reconstruction and the new perspectives in the current literature.