METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING UTILIZING MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMPOSITE MATERIALS, AND ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM
A method of depositing a multiphase material. The method includes providing a Continuous Multifunctional Composite (CMC) phase containing at least one continuous element in a polymeric matrix, passing the CMC phase through a feeding system containing a cutting system, producing a predetermined length of the CMC phase, providing a flow a molten polymer such that the molten polymer and the CMC phase are merged into a continuous co-extrusion nozzle so as to produce a co-extruded multiphase material, and depositing the co-extruded multiphase material onto a surface. An apparatus for depositing a multiphase material. The apparatus contains a co-extrusion nozzle, a means to introduce a CMC phase and a molten polymer into the co-extrusion nozzle, such that the molten polymer and the CMC phase are co-extruded and deposited on a surface. An article containing a CMC phase containing continuous elements embedded in a polymer resin forming a multiphase structure.
1 . An apparatus for depositing a multiphase material, the apparatus comprising;
a feedings system capable of continuously feeding a CMC phase containing continuous elements, and containing a cutting system capable of producing a predetermined length of the CMC phase containing continuous elements;
a co-extrusion nozzle comprising a flow channel;
a means to introduce the predetermined length of the CMC phase containing continuous elements into the flow channel of the co-extrusion nozzle; and
a means to introduce a molten polymer into the flow channel such that the molten polymer and the predetermined length of the CMC phase containing continuous elements are co-extruded and deposited on a surface.