Laser-induced combustion synthesis of 3D functional materials: computer-aided design

A combination of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and selective laser sintering (SLS) was used to prepare shaped porous complex oxides for the first time. It is also shown that the SHS-SLS technique can be used for making shaped intermetallic monoliths with embedded oxides, complex monoliths and shaped PZT ceramics. SLS of mixed powders of Ni + Ti; Ni + Al; Ti + Al; TiO2+ ZrO2+ PbO; Al(Al2O3)+ Zr(ZrO2); BaO2+ Fe2O3+ Cr2O3+ Fe and Li2O2+ Fe2O3+ Cr2O3+ Fe was carried out. Optimisation of the process using computer-aided 2D and 3D movement of the laser beam enabled porous monoliths of the chosen net shape to be prepared. 22 refs.