3D printing of Portland cement-containing bodies
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 25 August 2021
Issue publication date: 26 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Recent advances in 3D printing construction elements have focused on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete using polymeric binders; herein, this study aims to produce the same using pure water.
Design/methodology/approach
A binder jet printer prototype was used to fabricate specimens that are used to assess geometric and mechanical properties. Two distinct water-based binder formulations, compatible with OPC chemistry and piezoelectric jetting device, were used: pure water and water-polyvinyl alcohol (98:2 w/w) solution.
Findings
This study examines the effect of binder flow rate on dimensional accuracy. Furthermore, the changes in the mechanical properties over time with hydration have been investigated.
Practical implications
Results indicate that the increase in mechanical strength of Portland cement concrete with pure water was consistent; however, it was delayed by the water: PVA (98:2 w/w) solution. Post-curing by water vapor hardened the structure with the removal of layering native to 3DP and decreased infilling porosity by diffusion mechanism.
Originality/value
This paper has used pure water jetting for BJT of Portland cement-containing bodies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research work was supported by grants from the Department of Industrial Engineering at The University of Trento, Italy.
Asif Ur Rehman is currently receiving financial support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 (H2020) research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie, grant agreement No. 764935. The support provided is gratefully acknowledged.
Citation
Ur Rehman, A. and Sglavo, V.M. (2022), "3D printing of Portland cement-containing bodies", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 197-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-08-2020-0195
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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