Abstract:
An integrated manufacturing of continuous functionally graded materials-structures based on multi-material 3D printing and constrained sacrificial layer was proposed to solve the limitations of the existing functionally graded material preparation methods, such as difficult to control the shape of low-viscosity liquids accurately, poor interlayer bonding strength, and simple forming structure. This technology is capable of realizing the brand-new preparation of polymer-based continuous functionally graded materials. Through theoretical analysis and experimental investigation, the influence law of main process parameters including extrusion speed, printing speed and line spacing, on the forming quality and performance of printing continuous functionally graded materials are revealed. Graphene/UV curable resin dielectric functionally graded material (d-FGM) were prepared by using lab self-developed device, and realizing the integrated manufacturing of polymer-based continuous functionally graded insulators. Compared with the homogeneous UV curable resin, the dielectric constant has doubled, the resistivity has been reduced by 93.3%, and the amplitude of the creeping electric field strength has increased by more than 14%. Besides, the rigidity of the Al
2O
3 side with 40% content has doubled than a single polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material. With the features of realizing the continuous gradient distribution of the Al
2O
3. The 3D printing process provides a low-cost and high-efficiency solution for the preparation of polymer-based continuous functionally graded materials.