Systems and methods for compositionally and structurally-graded composites via liquid metal binder jetting

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a ceramic-metal composite part through a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. In one implementation the method involves depositing a layer of powder particles on a build table, and then depositing molten metal binding droplets onto the powder particles at one or more select locations of the powder particles to bind one or more select portions of the powder particles together and to fill interstitial spaces between adjacent ones of the powder particles, to thus form a first two-dimensional layer of the part. These operations are repeated to form additional layers of the part until the part is complete.

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