Additive Manufacturing of Composites – When Material Diversity Meets Process Flexibility
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.
This Article Collection 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 Article Collection to present a fundamental understanding of AM of composites, thereby adding some new knowledge to next-generation more sustainable AM technologies.
Guest advisors
Prof. Dr. Dongdong Gu(Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA))
Dongdong Gu is a Full Professor of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), the Director of Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Laser Additive Manufacturing of High-Performance Components, and an Editorial Board Member of Virtual and Physical Prototyping. His principal research interest is laser-based additive manufacturing of high-performance/multifunctional metallic components.
Prof. Amit Bandyopadhyay(Washington State University)
Amit Bandyopadhyay is a Boeing Distinguished Professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and an Affiliate Professor of the College of Medicine at Washington State University (WSU). His research expertise focuses on additive manufacturing/3D Printing, emphasizing bone implants and multi-material structures.
Prof. Dr. Rossi Setchi(Cardiff University)
Rossi Setchi is Professor in High-Value Manufacturing and the Director and Principal Investigator of the Research Centre in AI, Robotics and Human-Machine Systems (IROHMS) at Cardiff. Rossi has a distinguished track record of research in areas including AI, robotics, systems engineering, additive manufacturing, industrial sustainability, Cyber-Physical Systems and Industry 4.0.
Prof. Dr. Bilal Gökce(University of Wuppertal)
Bilal Gökce completed his Ph.D. in physics at North Carolina State University in 2012. After post-doctoral work on non-linear optics and a year at T-systems international, he joined the University of Duisburg-Essen as a group leader for Laser Material Processing & Additive Manufacturing. He achieved habilitation in 2018 and in 2020 became a Full Professor at the University of Wuppertal, creating the Chair of Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing.