US Patent 10189204 Composite feedstock for additive manufacturing

Techniques and compositions are disclosed for composite feedstocks with powder/binder systems suitable for three-dimensional printing, such as fused filament fabrication. The composite feedstocks may include a jacket about a core, with at least the core including a powder material suspended in a binder system and the jacket having a hardness or toughness greater than a hardness or toughness of the core for the feedstock. In general, the harder jacket may protect the core from unintended deformation or damage during transportation, storage, or use. For example, the difference in hardness or toughness between the jacket and the core may facilitate gripping the feedstock (e.g., by gear drives or the like) with a higher amount of force than is otherwise applicable if the feedstock were composed of the core alone, without damaging the core, during a fused filament fabrication process or another additive manufacturing process.