Additive Manufacturing of Composites, Volume II

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, there is an increasing demand for high performance/fiber-reinforced composite/materials for structural applications in key industry sectors (e.g., aerospace, military, automotive and motorsport, robotics, medical). The common feature of these applications is the lightweight design strategy which provides reduced structural weight while preserving high mechanical performance, less fuel consumption directly related to less carbon emission, and increased design flexibility compared to traditional isotropic materials. The concept especially applies to fiber reinforced polymer, ceramic, and metallic matrices for structural application under severe loading conditions.

At the same time, digital additive manufacturing (AM, commonly referred to as 3D printing) has emerged as a relatively new and booming concept, a manufacturing method of extreme interest for further development and innovation due to its potential to bring complete modification of the production chain: no need for complex tooling and reduced need for auxiliary manufacturing systems which translates into fewer associated costs, more efficient use of resources and positive environment impact, adaption to low production rates at competitive costs, possibility to produce parts of high geometrical complexity and complex assemblies with fewer parts and fewer joining elements, flexibility to rapidly apply design changes thus meeting the needs of a more and more dynamic market, almost zero manufacturing waste, and advanced human–machine interaction in a compact and predominantly computer controlled environment for integrated design and manufacturing.

The scope of this Special Issue is to present the latest developments in the field of 3D printing of fiber reinforced composites. Topics addressed include new additive manufacturing technologies covering various families of material extrusion, material lamination, binder jetting, selective curing/sintering, etc., especially designed for the processing of fiber-reinforced composites. New composite systems based on polymeric (both thermoplastic and thermoset), ceramic (oxide and non-oxide) or metallic matrices, containing either short or continuous fiber reinforcement, are also covered.

Dr. Adi Adumitroaie
Prof. Dr. Paolo Colombo
Guest Editors

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