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.