Polymer Composites for 3D Printing

Dear Colleagues,

Additive manufacturing, commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, is a manufacturing process that builds 3D objects by successively adding materials to the workpiece. Most 3D printing systems are geared toward the fabrication of standardized materials. Polymer composites, a class of multi-phase materials, offer a wide variety of material properties that can be tailored based on the need, such as improved mechanical strength or electrical conductivity. When altering the composition of a polymer composite to achieve the desired properties or functionalities, the processing characteristics, such as rheological properties or curing kinetics, also change, thus presenting new challenges for 3D printing of polymer composites. Moreover, controlling the distribution of the filler materials is often desired but is challenging to accomplish. A synergistic approach considering processing characteristics and resultant properties is needed when working with polymer composites for 3D printing.

The scope of this Special Issue includes but is not limited to the development of polymer composite material systems for 3D printing, advances in 3D printing processes for polymer composites, and the characterization and application of 3D printed polymer composites. This Special Issue is intended to assemble a collection of recent research findings in this field and to inspire future research.

Dr. Roland Kuen-Ren Chen
Dr. Yancheng Wang
Guest Editors

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