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AssigneeU.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I
InventorsEric D. Wetzel, Kevin R. Hart, Ryan M. Dunn
Estimating the term…
A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with a wide range of applications. A method is also described for including an interior thread that adds structural reinforcement or functional properties, such as electrical conductivity or optical waveguiding, to the filament.
A filament or preform comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer, the filament or preform having an outer surface;
The filament or preform of claim 4, where the cross-sectional geometry of the first thermoplastic polymer consists of a single contiguous shape, and cross-sectional geometry of the second thermoplastic polymer consists of a second contiguous shape.
The filament or preform of claim 4, where the cross-sectional geometry of the first thermoplastic polymer consists of a single contiguous shape, and cross-sectional geometry of the second thermoplastic polymer consists of two or more discrete domains.
A method for creating a polymer filament suitable for use in three-dimensional printing, comprising:
A method for creating an article comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.