Three-Dimensional Printed Composite Articles

Abstract

A 3D object according to the invention comprises substrate layers infiltrated by a hardened material. The 3D object is fabricated by a method comprising the following steps: Position powder on all or part of a substrate layer. Repeat this step for the remaining substrate layers. Stack the substrate layers. Transform the powder into a substance that flows and subsequently hardens into the hardened material. The hardened material solidifies in a spatial pattern that infiltrates positive regions in the substrate layers and does not infiltrate negative regions in the substrate layers. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is carbon fiber and excess substrate is removed by abrasion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-dimensional article of manufacture comprising a plurality of substrate layers that are infiltrated or coated by, and bound together by, a hardened material, wherein each substrate layer is a sheet-like structure that is substantially planar or flat and is made from materials that can be abraded, abrasively blasted, or chemically removed, and wherein the substrate layer materials are selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, polymer fibers, glass fibers, and metal fibers. 
     
     
         2 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the hardened material comprises a liquid that has hardened or cured. 
     
     
         3 . The article of manufacture of  claim 2 , wherein the hardened material comprises at least one of a thermoplastic or a thermosettable plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the hardened material exhibits a set of one or more characteristics, which set is sufficient for distinguishing the hardened material as having formed as a result of powder having been positioned on the substrate layers and then being at least partially softened followed by hardening. 
     
     
         5 . The article of manufacture of  claim 4 , wherein the powder is made of one or more thermoplastic polymers. 
     
     
         6 . The article of manufacture of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more thermoplastic polymers are selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, polyether imide, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polymethyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         7 . The article of manufacture of  claim 4 , wherein the powder further comprises ferrite or metal particles. 
     
     
         8 . The three-dimensional article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the article has multiple three-dimensional angles, curves, or planes in differing orientations. 
     
     
         9 . A three-dimensional article of manufacture comprising a plurality of substrate layers that are infiltrated or coated by and bound together by a hardened material, wherein each substrate layer is a sheet-like structure that is substantially planar or flat and is made from materials that can be abraded, abrasively blasted, or chemically removed, and wherein the hardened material exhibits a set of one or more characteristics, which set is sufficient for distinguishing the hardened material as having formed as a result of powder having been positioned on the substrate layers and then being at least partially softened followed by hardening. 
     
     
         10 . The three-dimensional article of manufacture of  claim 9 , wherein the article has multiple three-dimensional angles, curves, or planes in differing orientations. 
     
     
         11 . The three-dimensional article of manufacture of  claim 9 , wherein the substrate layer materials are selected from the group consisting of carbon fibers, ceramic fibers, polymer fibers, glass fibers, and metal fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The three-dimensional article of manufacture of  claim 9 , wherein the powder is made of one or more thermoplastic polymers. 
     
     
         13 . The three-dimensional article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more thermoplastic polymers are selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, polyether imide, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polymethyl methacrylate. 
     
     
         14 . The article of manufacture of  claim 9 , wherein the powder further comprises ferrite or metal particles. 
     
     
         15 . A three-dimensional article of manufacture comprising a plurality of substrate layers that are infiltrated or coated by, and bound together by, a hardened or rubber-like material, wherein each substrate layer is a sheet-like structure that is substantially planar or flat and is made from materials that can be abraded, abrasively blasted, or chemically removed, and wherein the substrate layer materials are non-cellulose-based. 
     
     
         16 . The article of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein the hardened or rubber-like material comprises a liquid that has hardened or cured. 
     
     
         17 . The article of manufacture of  claim 16 , wherein the hardened or rubber-like material comprises a soft polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . The article of manufacture of  claim 15 , wherein the hardened material exhibits a set of one or more characteristics, which set is sufficient for distinguishing the hardened material as having formed as a result of powder having been positioned on the substrate layers and then being at least partially softened followed by hardening. 
     
     
         19 . The article of manufacture of  claim 18 , wherein the powder is made of one or more thermoplastic polymers. 
     
     
         20 . The article of manufacture of  claim 18 , wherein the powder further comprises ferrite or metal particles.