The objectives of this study were to analyse the effect of inkjet 3-D printing parameters,
particularly the splat overlap distance, for the fabrication of defect-free porous Al2O3 ceramic
multilayers, and to correlate the resulting porosities with the mechanical properties measured using
nanoindentation. An aqua-based alumina ink was used in this study to fabricate the multilayers on
dense alumina substrates by inkjet printing. The as-printed specimens were dried and sintered at 1200
– 1500 °C. The resulting microstructural features of each specimen and their corresponding porosities
were studied using FIB-SEM. Elastic modulus and hardness were determined using the spherical
nanoindentation technique. Results showed that defect-free porous alumina multilayers with excellent
layer to layer and layer to substrate integrity were successfully fabricated. The porosity-dependence of
the elastic modulus and hardness was shown to be consistent with values predicted using empirical
expressions, despite the presence of abnormal grain growth at higher temperatures.