Investigating a finite element model for acoustic field-assisted particle patterning – applications in additive manufacturing of polymer composites
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Abstract
As additive manufacturing (AM) grows as a viable means to manufacture not only prototypes, but also end use production parts, the desire to produce composite materials using AM has grown. Such a machine would combine the unique benefits of AM with the unique benefits of composites. Although many successful AM setups that produce composites have been developed and successfully demonstrated, the way in which the filler materials are arranged within the matrix is an active area of research. This thesis reviews applicable literature pertaining to what different methods have so far been developed to create particle-matrix composites using additive manufacturing with an emphasis on how these methods align filler particles. Chapter two is a proposed manuscript that explores one particular method of arranging particles using acoustic fields. It also shows work performed in an effort to develop an FEA model that accurately predicts the shape of such particle patterns given the configuration of the actuators creating the acoustic field.