Volumetric additive manufacturing of glass

Abstract Volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) is a new and highly efficient method for creating complex glass structures with great precision. This study looks at a technique called xolography, a type of volumetric 3D printing that uses colloidal silica suspensions to make glass parts. Unlike traditional additive manufacturing that builds parts layer by layer, xolography can solidify entire volumes at once and this efficiency allows for the quick production of detailed and defect-free glass components with high resolution. The main goal of this research is to create a new and effective method for making high-purity glass using xolography. This study focuses on the rheological and optical properties of photopolymerizable resin, evolution of chemical structures and phases during heat treatment, as well as fine-tuning printing settings to ensure strength, transparency, and durability. It also examines how different sintering conditions affect the densification and optical properties of the printed glass. Stable photopolymerizable resin with colloidal silica inks was formulated with controlled viscosity and light absorption to facilitate photopolymerization. Resin composition and printing parameters, such as UV light intensity and printing speed, were optimized. To achieve dense and crack-free glass, we studied thermal processes including debinding and sintering. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for microstructure analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for examining chemical bonds, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for phase evolution assessment were performed. Experimental results demonstrate that xolography enables the production of highly complex and transparent glass structures with high fidelity and excellent optical clarity, highlighting the potential of volumetric additive manufacturing in glass fabrication by significantly reducing processing time and material waste while maintaining superior structural and optical properties. Crack-free glass samples were obtained by carefully optimizing the debinding procedure. This study provides a clear framework for using xolography to create complex shapes, and marks an advancement in the volumetric additive manufacturing of glass. Further improvements in developing higher transparency feedstocks, achieving higher resolution, and managing multi-material printing will be useful. Keywords: VAM, Volumetric Additive Manufacturing, High-Resolution 3D Printing, Xolography, Advanced Glass Manufacturing, Transparency, Photopolymerization, Amorphous materials.