Skoltech researchers: “We produced the strongest 3D printed composite material in the world”

For the last twenty years, the quest for the design and production of stronger and more flexible composite materials has attracted the imagination of business and research leaders. Composites’ wide range of applications, from medicine through aerospace to toys, made these unique materials increasingly important.

Researchers at The Skoltech Center for Advanced Structures, Processes and Engineered Materials (ASPEM) began their journey towards producing what is arguably a revolutionary material – with a challenge from their chief.  Prof Zafer Gurdal; “This humble piece is possibly the strongest 3D printed fiber-plastic in the world. And we know how to make more of this stuff.”

Professor continues: “the main problem with this technology is to achieve good quality of material: less porosity, better bonding between components, better fiber alignment. But eventually we got it right and came up with a completely new way to cover the fibers with a special chemical agent, which forms the durable interface between the components of the composite material. Our invention is special because of the way we treat carbon fiber tow (the packaged form of individual spools).”

Read more...www.skoltech.ru

Image credit: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

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