Fused Deposition Modeling of Composite Materials

Fused Deposition Modeling of Composite Materials is dedicated to the field of 3D-printing of composite materials using a popular technique called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), the world's most popular 3D printing method. But this method is currently limited to printing basic polymers and only a handful of primitive composite materials. Many future industries, such as Space, Biomed, Construction and Defense are waiting for the ability to 3D print composites and new functional materials with complex shapes and features so they can add unique and customizable features to their parts, including biocompatibility, radiation shielding, high-strength, rapid cooling, flexibility and shape-memory.

The book's authors take the reader through the basics of what the FDM technique is all about and describe the advantages and new opportunities arising from 3D printing innovative materials, which include polymer-matrix composites and fully inorganic parts. They then review and discuss methods for making the different types of composite feedstock filaments needed to 3D print such materials by FDM. Finally, sections discuss the challenges that should be considered in making filaments and parts and how to go about solving them.

1. Introduction to "Fused deposition modeling of composite materials
2. Basic principles of fused deposition modeling
3. The need for fused deposition modeling of composite materials
4. Production of composite filaments for fused deposition modeling
5. Characterization and quality assurance in fused deposition modeling
6. Fused deposition modeling of polymer-matrix composites with discrete glass, ceramic and carbonaceous fillers
7. Fused deposition modeling of polymer-matrix composites with metal fillers
8. Fused deposition modeling of polymer-matrix composites with natural fibers
9. Fused deposition modeling of continuous fiber-reinforced composites and sandwich structures
10. Fused deposition modeling of fully inorganic parts: Shaping, debinding and sintering (SDS)
11. Open challenges and future opportunities in fused deposition modeling of composite materials
12. Fused deposition modeling of composite materials at a glance - Supplementary tables

Dr. Antonella Sola is senior research scientist at CSIRO. With more than 100 publications, she has been working on composites, advanced coatings, and biomaterials. In her current role as Science Leader in Active Materials, she is investigating additive manufacturing and new processing technologies for the development of composite systems with improved functionalities.
Dr. Adrian Trinchi is a senior research scientist at CSIRO. As Project Leader, he is developing additive manufacturing materials and systems. He is particularly focused on modifying feedstock powders, for the production, of functional metal-ceramic composites for a variety of applications including light-weighting, hard-wearing, structural modification, and biocompatibility.