The Boeing Company
FABRICATION OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PARTS

Abstract:

Additive manufacturing parts having improved functional properties such as conductivity and absorption are fabricated with a fused filament fabrication process to have a contiguous path of functional nanomaterial embedded within the parts. A first heated filament consisting of a primary polymer material is deposited through a first nozzle and a second heated filament including a secondary polymer material filled with functional nanomaterial is deposited through a second nozzle in one or more layers to form a fabricated additive manufacturing part having at least one void. The second heated filament is embedded within the primary polymer material. A section of the fabricated additive manufacturing part where the secondary polymer material is located is selectively melted and an external isostatic pressure is applied to the fabricated additive manufacturing part to diffuse the secondary polymer material into the void and form a contiguous path of functional nanomaterial within the additive manufacturing parts.