Tough interlocking structure through digital light printing
File(s)
Author(s)
Egloff, Lukas Maurin
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Natural ceramic materials have evolved intricate microstructures, helping them to overcome their inherent brittleness. Nacre, for instance, has a brick-and-mortar structure with an interlocking mechanism, making it 40 times tougher than its constituents, an amplification unattainable with current technical tough ceramics. In this project, we aim to replicate this structure and for the first time create a ceramic mechanical metamaterial with an interlocking structure at the micron-scale. To this end, a processing strategy using recent advances in high resolution additive manufacturing (AM) of polymers, combined with pyrolysis to form carbon ceramics, is proposed. In this report, a custom slicer software is developed to allow for the highest precision control the microstructure by exploiting the full capabilities of the printer, and thus enabling the miniaturization of the interlocking polymer structure. Proof of concept experiments of the AM and pyrolysis processes are reported. Finally, a plan for successive steps of carbonization, mechanical testing and microstructural optimization are outlined.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2022-12-16
Date Awarded
01/06/2023
License URL
Advisor
Bouville, Florian
Saiz, Eduardo
Sponsor
European Research Council
Publisher Department
Materials
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)