Additive Manufacturing of Glass Components - Exploring the Potential of Glass Connections by Fused Deposition Modeling

Abstract

Glass is an indispensable material in the building industry. The combination of transparency, strength and durability makes it to an unparalleled and desirable material. The technology additive manufacturing (AM) has a potential in the building industry, based on a relatively small amount of repetitions of particular building components and the tendency of applying technology innovations for buildings. Therefore, there is an interest for additive manufacturing with glass. This paper presents and summarizes the results of the preliminary research regarding additive manufacturing of glass components for joining methods for flat glass structures. Different types of glass (borosilicate glass, quartz glass and soda lime silicate glass) are discussed. Experimental investigations of joints are intended to illustrate the performance and potential of AM glass components in case of structural use. Load bearing tests were carried out to quantify the strength and load bearing capacity level of an AM structural component. The thermal residual stresses were examined by photo-elastic tests with polarized lights and scattered light method. The investigations show in principle that load transfer via fused glass joints is possible. The performed research activity is a first step towards the Additive Manufacturing of glass structures on flat glass.