Ceramic roller for powder spreading

A system for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:

• a powder compaction apparatus comprising at least one compaction roller configured to spread and compact a powder material across a powder bed;
• and
• a printing apparatus configured to selectively bind or fuse the powder material;
• wherein the at least one compaction roller comprises a cylindrical work zone having a first end and a second end, a first bearing zone extending from the first end of the work zone, and a second bearing zone extending from the second end of the cylindrical work zone, and
• wherein the cylindrical work zone is made from silicon carbide and has a surface finish of less than 50 microinches Ra.

A compaction roller configured for use in a system for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object, the compaction roller comprising:

• a cylindrical work zone having a first end and a second end;
• a first bearing zone extending from the first end of the work zone;
• and
• a second bearing zone extending from the second end of the cylindrical work zone,
• wherein at least the cylindrical work zone is made from silicon carbide, and
• wherein the cylindrical work zone has a surface finish of less than 50 microinches Ra.