Name
Tech. Session XI - 189
Date & Time
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:30 AM - 10:55 AM
Description

The demand for high-performance lightweight optics has driven interest in silicon carbide (SiC) due to its exceptional thermal stability, hardness, and strength-to-weight ratio. This study investigates the potential of robocasting, an additive manufacturing process, as a viable method for producing lightweighted SiC components for optical applications. Four samples with varied starting powder phases (α and β) and sintering conditions were fabricated and evaluated. Post-sintering surface and form were assessed using coherence scanning interferometry (CSI) and coordinate measuring machine (CMM) techniques. A three-stage grinding process was applied to each sample, with surface roughness assessed at each stage. Results demonstrate that samples with predominantly α-phase SiC and smaller particle sizes achieved superior surface finish, particularly sample D2-α-2135°C, which displayed the lowest post-grinding Sq value of 0.178 µm. The analysis also indicated no significant print-through effect from the lightweighting structure, or print artifacts, at this stage of grinding. However, β-phase samples showed poorer grindability, increased surface roughness, and pitting. These findings suggest that phase composition and particle size are critical for achieving the desired surface quality in robocast SiC optics. Future work will incorporate additional samples and finer grinding wheels to refine surface quality further, supporting the development of SiC for high-precision optical applications.

Location Name
Crepe Myrtle
Full Address
Hyatt Regency
220 N Main St
Greenville, SC 29601
United States
Session Type
Technical Session
Paper #
NAMRC 189
Author List
Taylor Barrett, Beth L. Armstrong, Corson L. Cramer and Brigid Mullany
Paper Title
Assessment of the Grindability of Robocast Silicon Carbide
Presenter Name
Taylor Barrett
Session Chair
Shuting Lei, Taylor Barrett
Presenter Email
cbarre20@charlotte.edu