Abstract
Gadolinium (III) oxide (gadolinia, Gd2O3) has recently been identified as an intriguing material for applications in the medical, solid oxide fuel cell, and nuclear industries. This interest drives the need for developing and understanding manufacturing techniques that can produce dense Gd2O3 structures. Direct ink writing (DIW), an extrusion-based additive manufacturing method, has also garnered interest because of its capability to produce dense ceramic parts with increased complexity in an economical manner. In this study, DIW was explored as a manufacturing technique for Gd2O3. Experiments were performed to develop Gd2O3 bearing inks capable of being processed via DIW. Ink solids loading and sintering temperatures were varied to assess their impact on the final density and microstructure. Optimum sintering conditions are proposed and were experimentally verified at a dwell temperature of 1500°C. Gd2O3 samples were successfully manufactured using DIW, achieving densities greater than 96 % of the theoretical density.
