Application of Composite Materials in Additive Manufacturing

Dear Colleagues,

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing, has revolutionised the manufacturing industry through enabling the creation of complex and customised components with high precision and minimal waste. One of the most exciting advancements in this field is integrating composite materials into additive manufacturing processes. Composite materials, engineered from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties, offer superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties when compared to traditional materials. This synergy opens up new possibilities for developing high-performance products across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer goods.

The scientific background of composite materials in additive manufacturing encompasses various disciplines, including materials science, mechanical engineering, and chemistry. Combining materials such as polymers, metals, ceramics, and fibres in a single manufacturing process allows for optimising properties tailored to specific applications. For example, using carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) in 3D printing has shown significant improvements in the strength-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for aerospace and automotive applications where weight reduction is critical.

This Special Issue on the "Application of Composite Materials in Additive Manufacturing" explores the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in this dynamic field. We aim to bring together cutting-edge research and reviews that highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this area and its relevance to the broader scope of materials science and engineering. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of the application of composite materials in additive manufacturing, this Special Issue will contribute to advancing knowledge and developing novel solutions that address the emerging needs of various industries.

The aim of this Special Issue on the "Application of Composite Materials in Additive Manufacturing" is to provide a comprehensive platform for disseminating pioneering research and advancements in integrating composite materials with additive manufacturing technologies. This Special Issue seeks to gather original research articles and reviews that explore innovative methodologies, material developments, and applications of composite materials in 3D printing. We aim to address the current challenges, uncover potential opportunities, and highlight the transformative impact of composite materials on additive manufacturing processes.

The subject matter of this Special Issue aligns closely with the scope of the Journal of Composites Science, which focuses on the design, development, and application of composite materials. By integrating additive manufacturing into this framework, we aim to advance the understanding of how these materials can be optimised and applied in various industrial contexts, thereby pushing the boundaries of traditional manufacturing techniques.

This Special Issue will cover a range of themes, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Development of novel composite materials for additive manufacturing;
• Mechanical, thermal, and electrical characterisation of 3D-printed composites;
• Advances in additive manufacturing technologies for composites;
• Applications of 3D-printed composites in aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer industries;
• Sustainable and environmentally friendly practises in the additive manufacturing of composites.

By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and showcasing state-of-the-art research, this Special Issue aims to contribute significantly to composite materials and their applications in additive manufacturing, aligning with the journal's mission to advance scientific knowledge and practical applications in composites science.

We invite submissions of original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address a broad spectrum of topics related to the application of composite materials in additive manufacturing. Potential themes and topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Development of Novel Composite Materials:
• Design and synthesis of new composite materials suitable for 3D printing.
• Investigate the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of 3D-printed composites.
• Exploration of hybrid composites combining multiple materials for enhanced performance.
2. Additive Manufacturing Techniques:
• Advances in additive manufacturing processes such as fused deposition modelling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), stereolithography (SLA), and direct ink writing (DIW) for composite materials.
• Process optimisation and parameter control for high-quality composite printing.
• Development of multi-material printing techniques for functional gradation and complex architectures.
3. Applications of 3D Printed Composites:
• Aerospace: Lightweight and high-strength components and thermal management systems.
• Automotive: Structural components, impact-resistant parts, and functional prototypes.
• Medical: Biocompatible implants, prosthetics, and customised medical devices.
• Consumer Goods: Wearable technology, sports equipment, and household items.
4. Sustainability and Environmental Impact:
• Use of recycled or bio-based materials in the 3D printing of composites.
• Life cycle analysis and environmental impact assessments of 3D-printed composites.
• Strategies for reducing waste and improving the sustainability of additive manufacturing processes.
5. Characterisation and Testing:
• Advanced techniques for characterising the microstructure and properties of 3D-printed composites.
• Non-destructive testing methods for quality assurance of printed parts.
• Long-term performance and durability studies of composite materials in various environments.
6. Simulation and modelling:
• Computational modelling of composite material behaviour during and after the printing process.
• Simulation of process-structure-property relationships in 3D-printed composites.
• Predictive modelling for optimising design and manufacturing processes.

We look forward to receiving your contributions that will not only advance the field of composite materials in additive manufacturing, but also demonstrate innovative solutions and applications that address current and future challenges in this dynamic and impactful area of research.

Dr. BANKOLE Oladapo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Composites Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• additive manufacturing
• composite materials
• 3D printing
• fused deposition modelling (FDM)
• selective laser sintering (SLS)
• mechanical properties
• sustainable manufacturing
• biocompatible implants
• hybrid composites