Strategy to shape, on a half-meter scale, a geopolymer composite structure by additive manufacturing

• Main Authors: J. Archez, S. Maitenaz, L. Demont, M. Charrier, R. Mesnil, N. Texier-Mandoki, X. Bourbon, S. Rossignol, J.F. Caron
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-03-01
• Series: Open Ceramics
• Subjects: Geopolymer; Composite; Additive manufacturing; Structure; Robot; Large scale
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666539521000171

This work aims at proposing a strategy for 3D-printing geopolymer composite structures at a half-meter scale, without using organic additives. An original printing device based on cartridges is developed and adapted to a 6-axis robot. The yield stress, working time and apparent Young modulus of the extruded material are measured. A devoted software, procedure and printing path are set up, leading to the fabrication of a structure without height limitation, without major geometrical defects or instabilities. The working time ensures the consolidation of the material during printing and good adhesion between layers. As an example, four successive cartridges have been successfully used to elaborate a hollow cylinder (Φ ​= ​35 ​cm, H ​= ​45 ​cm).