Volumetric additive manufacturing of glass

Volumetric Additive Manufacturing (VAM) is gaining attention as a promising method for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of complex three-dimensional structures. In this work, VAM is utilised to manufacture silica-based glass structures. Here a photo-curable system was developed, and the effects of the constituents were studied. Synthesis parameters were optimised and several protocols were put together. A strong correlation was observed between formulation parameters and printing performance. Spectroscopic and rheological techniques were used to characterise the resin. Post-processing and cleaning procedures were studied, and an optimisation was made. Additionally, heat treatments were developed to fit the used system, in accordance to the thermal analysis. Different atmospheres and thermal profiles were examined and their effect was evaluated. The morphology of the samples was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Results present the synthesis of a stable, highly viscous resin with high transmittance and optimised in a way to maximise the inorganic yield. Microscopic characterisation revealed distinct morphological regions within the printed objects. Final sintered samples displayed transparent areas alongside regions affected by cracking. Structural analysis confirmed the absence of crystallisation, supporting the amorphous nature of the final product.