Indirect Rapid Manufacturing of Silicon Carbide Composites

The applications of SLS, like many other rapid
prototyping technologies, are limited by the
properties of commercially available materials. The
powdered materials that have been demonstrated
include polymer blends and polymer binder systems
that produce porous parts.
Despite advantages in material stiffness, fabrication
challenges limit the use of particulate reinforced
composites.
In this dissertation a new binder for SLS processing
is developed along with strategies for machining,
polymer infiltration and metal infiltration of the
porous preforms. Where material properties are
established after SLS processing the overall process
is called, indirect. Examined together, these
processes form a fabrication method that improves the
material set available for rapid manufacturing and
also provides a means of forming parts from
particulate reinforced composites.
The concurrent development of a company and funding
from a Texas Technology Development and Transfer
Grant and the NCIIA made technology transfer an
inherent part of this project.

Autorentext

Dr. Evans is an engineer, technologist and an entrepreneur withexperience in a variety of roles and environments. He co-foundeda materials and manufacturing company which partially funded hisdoctoral studies. He then researched and taught technologycommercialization before joining a consulting, technology ventureand software company.

Klappentext

The applications of SLS, like many other rapidprototyping technologies, are limited by theproperties of commercially available materials. Thepowdered materials that have been demonstratedinclude polymer blends and polymer binder systemsthat produce porous parts. Despite advantages in material stiffness, fabricationchallenges limit the use of particulate reinforcedcomposites. In this dissertation a new binder for SLS processingis developed along with strategies for machining,polymer infiltration and metal infiltration of theporous preforms. Where material properties areestablished after SLS processing the overall processis called, "indirect." Examined together, theseprocesses form a fabrication method that improves thematerial set available for rapid manufacturing andalso provides a means of forming parts fromparticulate reinforced composites.The concurrent development of a company and fundingfrom a Texas Technology Development and TransferGrant and the NCIIA made technology transfer aninherent part of this project.