A polymer composition comprising carbon nanostructures dispersed within a polymer matrix that includes a thermoplastic polymer having a deflection temperature under load of about 40° C. or more as determined in accordance with ISO 75:2013 at a load of 1.8 MPa and a melting temperature of about 140° C. or more is provided. The carbon nanostructures include carbon nanotubes that are arranged in a network having a web-like morphology and optionally disposed on a substrate.

A method for fabrication of a 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity is provided, where pure polymer particles and a carbon-based filler for heat conduction are subjected to milling and mixing in the mechanochemical reactor disclosed in Chinese patent ZL 95111258.9 under the controlled milling conditions including milling pan surface temperature, milling pan pressure, and number of milling cycles; then a resulting mixture is extruded to obtain 3D printing filaments; and finally, the 3D printing filaments are used to fabricate the 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity through fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The fabrication method can realize the fabrication of a 3D printed part with high through-plane thermal conductivity through the FDM 3D printing technology, features simple process, continuous production, etc., and is suitable for the industrial production of thermally-conductive parts with complex structures.

A method for bonding thermoplastic fiber-composite parts comprises providing surface texture on one or both parts being bonded, and/or providing both parts with engagement features. Such surface textures and engagement features have a specific geometry and fiber alignment that facilitate fibrous interlock between the two parts at a bonding interface via in-situ consolidation.

A composition of matter comprises at least 10 wt % epoxy functionalized two-dimensional shaped particles, carbon nanotubes in the range of 0.1 to 5 wt %, epoxy resin and a curing agent. A method of manufacturing a composition of matter includes mixing epoxy resin, carbon nanotubes and a solvent to produce a material, drying the material, and mixing the material with a curing agent to product the composition of matter. A method of printing a composition of matter includes producing the composition of matter by combining epoxy functionalized graphene, carbon nanotubes, epoxy base resin, and a curing agent, extrusion printing the composition of matter into a desired pattern, and curing the pattern.

A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube (CNT) composite material structure is provided. The method includes providing ink, in which a CNT composite material including a CNT and a rheological modifier is dispersed, to a nozzle, positioning the nozzle at a predetermined point on a substrate, and moving the nozzle along a predetermined path on the substrate while discharging the ink from the nozzle by surface tension of a meniscus formed at a leading end of the nozzle and printing a CNT composite material pattern corresponding to a movement path of the nozzle. In printing the CNT composite material pattern, the pattern is stacked as the CNT composite material by evaporation of a solvent within a meniscus formed by the ink extruded from the nozzle between the nozzle and the substrate.

Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to drag the filament from the conduit nozzle.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) ink includes a CNT, a rheological modifier for controlling a flow of the CNT, and a solvent. The CNT ink exhibits a liquid-like behavior under shear stress of 10.sup.−1 to 10 Pa. A loss modulus of the CNT ink may have a larger value than that of storage modulus under shear stress of 10.sup.−1 to 10 Pa. A content of the CNT may be 1 to 20 wt %. A content of the rheological modifier in the CNT ink may be 5 to 40 wt %. A weight ratio of the content of the CNT and the content of the rheological modifier in the CNT ink may be 1:1 to 1:5. The solvent may have a boiling point of 100° C. or less.

A heating element for resistance welding of thermoplastic components includes an electrically conductive sheet with cut-outs, wherein a ratio of cut-outs to electrically conductive sheet changes at least along a transverse direction of the sheet, so that an electrical resistance of the sheet has a maximum at a center of the sheet. A welding kit includes the heating element and an electrical insulation layer. A method of manufacturing the heating element, and a method of employing the heating element for welding two thermoplastic components to one another are disclosed.

A laminate structure is disclosed including a fibre laminate impregnated with a laminate matrix material, and a veil of carbon nanotubes impregnated with a veil matrix material. The laminate matrix material and the veil matrix material doped with carbon particles. The veil provides lightning strike protection. The structure is manufactured by co-curing the laminate matrix material and the veil matrix material to bond the veil of carbon nanotubes to the fibre laminate.

A nanofiber yarn placement system includes a yarn dispenser assembly, and a placement assembly. The placement assembly includes a compliant flange, and a guide connected to the compliant flange. The guide defining a channel. The channel includes at least one internal surface and at least one corner defined by the at least one internal surface.