Method of orientating fillers in composite materials

A method of fabricating a composite incorporating fillers, comprising the steps of:

• depositing the fillers in a matrix material;
• inserting a first portion of the matrix material into a mold;
• positioning the mold at a desired location with respect to an electrical field such that at least a portion of the fillers in the first portion of the matrix material align in a first direction in response thereto;
• curing the first portion of the matrix material
• reorientating at least one of the first portion of matrix material and the electrical field;
• exposing a second portion of the matrix material to the electrical field such that the fillers in the second portion of the matrix material align in a second direction in response thereto;
• and
• curing the second portion of the matrix material.

A method of fabricating a composite incorporating fillers, comprising the steps of:

• depositing a first portion of matrix material having fillers onto a work platform;
• positioning the first portion of the matrix material within a stimulus field such that at least a portion of the fillers in the first portion of the matrix material align in a first direction in response thereto;
• curing the first portion of the matrix material to form a first layer:
• reorientating at least one of the first layer and the stimulus field;
• depositing a second portion of the matrix material on the first layer;
• exposing the second of the matrix material to the stimulus such that the fillers in the second portion of the matrix material align in a second direction in response thereto;
• and
• curing the second portion of the matrix material to form a second layer.