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US 9,512,544 B2Granted
Surface modified particulate and sintered or injection molded products
AssigneeTundra Composites, LLC
InventorKurt E. Heikkila
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are interfacially modified particulate and polymer composite material for use in injection molding processes, such as metal injection molding and additive process such as 3D printing. The composite material is uniquely adapted for powder metallurgy processes. Improved products are provided under process conditions through surface modified powders that are produced by extrusion, injection molding, additive processes such as 3D printing, Press and Sinter, or rapid prototyping.
Claims9
A method of making an object with an additive manufacturing system, the method comprises:
- depositing a filament, with the system comprising a digitally controlled applicator, in a controlled x-y plane with subsequent z-direction filament application to obtain a preform object;
- the filament comprising:
- about 70 to 1 wt. % of a thermoplastic polymer;
- and
- about 99 to 30 wt. % of a metal particulate, dispersed in the polymer, the particulate having a particle size of less than 500 microns, and an exterior coating of interfacial modifier in an amount of about 0.02 to 2.0 wt. %, all percentages based on the weight of the filament;
- and
- sintering the preform object to remove the polymer and bond the particulate forming the object.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.