A metal matrix composite is provided, including a metal, inorganic particles, and discontinuous fibers. The inorganic particles and the discontinuous fibers are dispersed in the metal. The metal includes aluminum, magnesium, or alloys thereof. The inorganic particles have an envelope density that is at least 30% less than a density of the metal. The metal matrix composite has a lower envelope density than the matrix metal while retaining a substantial amount of the mechanical properties of the metal.

A method of forming a rotor blade, including forming at least one of a partial upper skin, a partial lower skin, and a partial support network using an additive manufacturing process; and forming a first receptacle in at least a one of the partial upper skin, the partial lower skin, and the partial support network using the additive manufacturing process. The first receptacle is configured to receive of at least one of an electronic component and a mechanical component. In some embodiments, there is a method of manufacturing a rotor blade that includes forming a first locating receptacle in at least one of the upper skin, the lower skin, and the support network using the additive manufacturing process; and positioning at least one of the upper skin, the lower skin, and the support network in a desired position on a fixture based, in part, on the first locating receptacle.

A system for additively manufacturing a composite part is disclosed. The system may include a vat configured to hold a supply of resin, and a build surface disposed inside the vat. The system may also include a print head configured to discharge a matrix-coated continuous reinforcement onto the build surface, and an energy source configured to expose resin on a surface of the matrix-coated continuous reinforcement to a cure energy.

A method of additive manufacturing is provided. The method includes depositing a layer of base material from which an additively manufactured part is produced. The method also includes depositing a slurry onto the layer of base material, where the slurry includes a solvent, particles of a structural material, and a reinforcing agent.

A method of additive manufacturing is provided. The method includes depositing a layer of polymeric material from which an additively manufactured part is produced. The method also includes depositing a slurry upon the layer of polymeric material, wherein the slurry includes a conductive material that imparts conductive properties to the layer of polymeric material.

A method of additive manufacturing is provided. The method of additive manufacturing includes depositing a layer of base material from which an additively manufactured part is produced. The method also includes dissolving a resin in a solvent to form a resin solution, and depositing the resin solution upon the layer of base material.

According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a method of reducing distortion in an additively manufactured part comprising forming a shrinking platform from a composite including metal particles embedded in a first matrix, forming shrinking supports from the composite, forming a part from the composite upon the shrinking platform and shrinking supports, forming an interior structure in at least one of the shrinking platform, the shrinking supports, and the part having a plurality of chambers with interconnections therebetween, forming from the shrinking platform, the sintering supports, and the part a portable assembly, and debinding the first matrix in the portable assembly to form a portable assembly in a brown state, wherein debinding the first matrix includes penetrating a fluid debinder into the interior structure of the at least one of the shrinking platform, the shrinking supports, and the part to debind the first matrix from within the interior structure.

A method comprising depositing, in layers, a shrinking platform formed from a composite including metal particles embedded in a first matrix, depositing shrinking supports of the composite upon the shrinking platform, forming a separation clearance dividing at least one shrinking support into fragments, depositing, from the composite, a part upon the shrinking platform and shrinking supports, depositing a separation material intervening between the part and the shrinking supports, the separation material including a ceramic powder and a second matrix, and forming, from the shrinking platform, shrinking supports, separation material, and part, a portable platform assembly in a green state, wherein the shrinking support is configured to prevent the portable platform assembly from distorting from gravitational force during sintering of the metal particles of the assembly in a brown state, and wherein the ceramic powder of the separation material is configured to separate the shrinking support from the part following sintering.

A blade for a turbomachine comprising an outer shell and an inner core which is at least partially enclosed by the outer shell and has a higher porosity than the outer shell. The outer shell is formed by a ceramic body or a body made of a ceramic matrix composite material, and the inner core is formed by a fiber-reinforced ceramic or a fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite material.

An intake system assembly including an intake manifold including a housing defining an interior conduit in fluidic communication with an intake valve and a lattice structure extending from an outer surface of the housing. The lattice structure includes a plurality of intersecting walls and the lattice structure and the housing form a continuous piece of material.