Ink jet printing of PZT aqueous ceramic suspensions

The feasibility of printing suspensions of a common electroceramic, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) by ink jet printing was assessed. For this study, the Epson Stylus 500C was used. Printing was carried out on an ashless filter paper using 20 overprinted layers. Overprinted samples were fired to remove the ashless paper, and then sintered. Following this, a thermogravimetric (TGA) study was undertaken of the binder phase removal. Complex two-dimensional shapes were successfully produced, thus confirming the feasibility of producing a dilute aqueous suspension of PZT.