This paper promotes the general paradigm that a composite's internal structure can be micro-tailored to achieve a multifunctional physical response through the use of the Field Aided Micro Tailoring (FAiMTa) technique. The FAiMTa technique relies on curing a polymer composite while in its liquid state in the presence of an electric field. The particles within the composite align themselves in the direction of the electric field and create an orthotropic composite structure. This technology can lead to composite materials having a micro-tailored structure mimicking biological systems. As an initial step towards this goal, uniformly orthotropic composites, which are prepared by the FAiMTa technique, are mechanically characterized. Two epoxy based systems are considered: a composite having micro-sized graphite particles whereas the other has micro-sized aluminum particles. Mechanical tests show the change of material properties according to direction of the particle alignment within the composite. Optical microscopy also confirms the created orthotropic microstructure. The next step in development of FAiMTa technique is the reduction of stress concentration near a geometric discontinuity by properly orienting particulate structures within the composite. Our ongoing efforts toward optimization of the composites are briefly outlined.
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