RP of Si₃N₄ burner arrays via assembly mould SDM

A rapid prototyping process applying ceramic gelcasting and assembly mould shape deposition manufacturing has been developed to fabricate mesoscale silicon nitride components with complex 3D geometry. An overview of the fabrication of Si₃N₄ burner arrays for gas turbine reheat applications is demonstrated. The design of burner arrays features internal fuel passages and integrated fuel injection elements, which cannot be manufactured by conventional methods. Geometrical decomposition of design models and recent developments in ceramic processing provide a novel approach in prototyping the burner arrays, in this paper, issues of materials compatibility, mould fabrication strategies, ceramic processing, and design iterations will be discussed along with the functional test of the 4 × 4 burner array.