- MICROWAVE-INDUCED LOCALIZED HEATING OF CNT FILLED POLYMER COMPOSITES FOR ENHANCED INTER-BEAD DIFFUSIVE BONDING OF FUSED FILAMENT FABRICATED PARTS

摘要

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to microwave-induced heating of CNT-filled (or coated) polymer composites to enhance inter-bead diffusive bonding of fused filament fabricated parts. This technique is used to increase the strength of the inter-bead bond after in-situ focused microwave beams during post microwave irradiation treatment and/or printing, either on the surface or throughout the volume of 3D printer polymer filaments using microwave absorbing nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes). CNT)) is introduced. The overall strength of the final 3D printed part will increase dramatically, and the isotropic mechanical properties of fused filament parts will approach or exceed their universally fabricated counterparts.