Composites with Gradient Properties From Solid Freeform Fabrication

TetraCast is a build style developed by Milwaukee School ofEngineering involving stereolithography patterns produced with an open cellular structure inside a surface shell. Composites are created using this pattern as a host fora filler material, generally epoxy matrices loaded with various fibers or microspheres. Regions within a singleobjectrrray be separated by thin barriers, allowing filling with different matrix materials.to create regiollsof differing.local properties. The internal structure can also be continually graded in thickness to prodUl::e composites with properties ranging from that ofthe fillermaterial to that ofthe TetraCast material (currently stereolithography epoxy or FDM ABS)