The current additive manufacturing (AM)/ 3D printing (3DP) technologies have advanced from single-material printing (e.g., metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, etc.) to multi-material design and manufacturing to yield high performance and even multifunctionality of the printed components. Additive manufacturing of composites with the controllable incorporation of different materials in different positions within a component provides a promising way to meet multiple performance requirements. Due to the unique processing philosophy and high flexibility of AM technologies, it has significantly expanded the connotations and categories of composite materials for AM. Whether lightweight polymer-matrix composites, load-bearing metal-matrix composites, or even difficult-to-process ceramic-matrix composites, are continuously used in AM researches and innovative applications. The types of composite materials manufactured by AM have also extended from traditional particle- or fibre-reinforced composites to novel gradient composites and multi-material composites. From the perspective of performance and industrial application of composites manufactured by AM, the final goal of AM-processed composite components is moving from high mechanical properties to multi-functionality integrating more physical and chemical properties.
Nevertheless, a series of new scientific and technological challenges are emerging for AM of composites in terms of equipment development, materials design, process control, performance and multi-functionality assessment, etc. Some typical problems/difficulties associated with AM of composites, e.g., uncontrollable phase and microstructure development, limited surface smoothness and structural accuracy, stress formation and structural deformation, low mechanical properties, and weak multi-functionality, need to be fundamentally studied and solved. The processability of composites by AM and attendant material-process-performance integrated coordination methods are the main concerns, with a final aim to realize the successful applications of AM composites in modern industries.
This Special Issue of Virtual and Physical Prototyping entitled “Additive Manufacturing of Composites” focuses on this emerging research field of AM to better strengthen and achieve the benefits afforded by both composites and AM technologies. The integration of materials design, structure innovation, machine development, process coordination, high-precision/high-performance/multi-functional components is highlighted in this Special Issue to present a fundamental understanding of AM of composites, thereby adding some new knowledge to next-generation more sustainable AM technologies.
The relevant subtopics and desired focus from manuscript submissions include but not limited to:
- Composite materials development for AM/3DP (polymer-matrix composites, metal-matrix composites, ceramic-matrix composites, etc.)
- AM/3DP of multi-materials (gradient materials, laminated composites, nanocomposites, etc.)
- Process modelling, process know-how, and process enhancement for AM of composites
- High-performance/multi-functional structure design and additive manufacturing of composite components
- Industrial applications of additive manufactured composite components with high-precision/high-performance/multi-functionality
Article types include Original Research Article, Short Communications, Reviews, Prospective, etc.
