Consolidatable composite materials, articles of manufacture formed therefrom, and fabrication methods

摘要

A composite material includes an unconsolidated, consolidatable component and a physical modifier component. The consolidatable component is configured to be selectively consolidated to form an article, while the physical modifier component provides desired physical properties. The physical modifier component may be an unconsolidated material dispersed throughout the consolidatable component or a preformed matrix including interstices within which the consolidatable component may be introduced. The consolidatable component of the composite material may be selectively consolidated to fix the at least one physical component therein. Alternatively, the consolidatable component may be nonselectively consolidated, then regions thereof selectively removed. Methods for fabricating articles from such composite materials are also disclosed, as are systems that are configured for use in fabricating articles from such composite materials.