Abstract
Ceramic materials are gaining relevance in Additive Manufacturing (AM), although the lack of standardized process parameters limits the repeatability and comparability of printed parts. This study proposes an optimization procedure for the fabrication of alumina (Al₂O₃) components using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) with a ceramic–polymer composite filament. The methodology was structured in two phases. First, the printing parameters related to extrusion conditions, speed profiles, layer configuration, and infill strategies were iteratively optimized using green parts. Then, the influence of chemical debinding and sintering was considered to refine the geometric parameters and scale factors necessary to ensure dimensional stability in final ceramic parts. The optimized parameter set was evaluated by fabricating standardized test artifacts according to ISO 52902:2023 to assess dimensional accuracy, resolution, and surface finish, and results were benchmarked against polylactic acid (PLA) printed under optimal conditions. The findings show that the proposed procedure enables reliable fabrication of alumina parts and provides objective performance data; however, dimensional deviations and surface artifacts increase after sintering due to material shrinkage and thermal deformation. The study recommends the adoption of structured parameter optimization workflows to support industrial integration of ceramic FDM and highlights the need for future work on optimizing debinding and sintering profiles to improve final part stability.
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The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
The authors also thank to IDONIAL Technology Centre for its support and particularly to Mr. Miguel A. Viñuela and Mr. Raúl Marques.
Funding
This research was part of a project funded by University Institute of Industrial Technology of Asturias (IUTA), grant number SV-23-GIJON-1-01, also by MICIU/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and, as appropriate, by “ERDF A way of making Europe”, by “ERDF/EU”, by the European Union; grant number PID2021–125992OB-I00.
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Conceptualization, V.M. and E.C.; methodology, V.M. and L.M.; formal analysis: L.M., A.G. and F.P.; validation: E.C., A.G. and F.P.; writing—original draft preparation, V.M. and L.M.; writing—review and editing, E.C., A.G. and F.P.; visualization, L.M. and A.G.; supervision, V.M., L.M. and E.C.; project administration, V.M. and E.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Meana, V., Meana, L., Cuesta, E. et al. Process parameter optimization for alumina ceramic parts manufactured by fused deposition modelling. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36153-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-36153-6
