Mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated functional gradient structures by 3D printing and melt infiltration

In this paper, Al₂O₃ functional gradient structures (FGS) were prepared by digital light processing-based 3D printing, and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated FGS was subsequently obtained by melt infiltrating. The microstructure of Al₂O₃FGS and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated FGS was studied. And the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ FGS and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated FGS under quasi-static compression loading were investigated in detail. Compressive strength, Young's modulus, and energy absorption of Al₂O₃ FGS and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated FGS were experimental tested, compared, and discussed. The failure behavior of Al₂O₃ FGS and Al₂O₃/Al interpenetrated FGS was analyzed by experiments and FEA. This study provides a novel approach for the fabrication of ceramic FGS and ceramic/metal interpenetrated FGS with high mechanical performance.