When testing high-temperature polymer resins, the research team found that additive manufacturing technology printed polymer powders well, but when they removed the parts from the powder bed for post-processing, the materials melted and became unusable.
To solve this problem and better entangle and shape the molecules under the heat of the laser, the researchers added a carbon fiber filler material to the resin material to better transfer the energy of the laser to the matrix. By absorbing the energy of the laser pointer and conducting heat, carbon fibers will allow the laser to heat the material much faster than using polymers alone.
Researchers say that processing high-temperature materials is difficult and expensive, and that the materials are often used for military-specific applications with fewer supplier resources. This breakthrough will allow the U.S. Air Force to make high-temperature composite parts more cost-effectively. In addition, high-temperature polymer composite parts have the characteristics of small size and multiple functions. The latest research results will not only bring great benefits to the Air Force, but may also have a disruptive effect on the entire industry. Preliminary test data show that this new laser pointer material can withstand high temperatures, but further testing and verification of the material is needed before it can be used in Air Force platforms.