Ceramic-based functionally graded Components (FGC) are ceramic parts with a variety of different properties, which change gradually throughout their dimensions by realizing a graded microstructure or material gradients. As a result, innovative, multi-functional property combinations, such as hard and ductile, electrically or thermally conductive and insulating or magnetic and nonmagnetic combinations can be created. Applications are conceivable in a variety of industrial and medical fields - for example, as cutting tools, wear resistant components, ceramic heaters, energy and fuel cell components or as bipolar surgical tools.[1][2]

Multi Material Jetting was specially developed for the manufacturing of ceramic-based functionally graded and multi material components. In our study, we investigated the AM of ceramic-based Functionally Graded Components (FGC) by CerAM MMJ, like zirconia components with a varying microstructure as well as Si3N4 -based components, which combine an electrically conductive phase and a non-conductive phase.

The Multi Material Jetting technology is currently in the commercialization phase. The project is being launched as part of the EXIST research transfer programme "EXIST: CerAM MMJ" (funded by the BMWi, project management organization PTJ, funding code: 03EFQSN180). The presentation will give an overview of the current state of the technology development, the available material portfolio, some applications and the progress of the commercialization activities.

References
[1]    U. Scheithauer; S. Weingarten; R. Johne; E. Schwarzer; J. Abel; H.-J. Richter; T. Moritz; A. Michaelis, Ceramic-Based 4D Components: Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Ceramic-Based Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) by Thermoplastic 3D Printing (T3DP)
Materials: Open Access Materials Science Journal. - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute MDPI. - Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. - 1996-1944 (E-ISSN). - 10 (2017) 12

[2]    S. Weingarten, U. Scheithauer, R. Johne, J. Abel, E. Schwarzer, T. Moritz, A. Michaelis, Multi-material Ceramic-Based Components - Additive Manufacturing of Black-and-white Zirconia Components by Thermoplastic 3D-Printing (CerAM - T3DP), Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, 7 January 2019, Issue 143