Additive manufacturing of carbon nanocomposites for structural applications

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has attracted a lot of attention in science and technology in recent years. Improvement in AM processes and materials are necessary, particularly for structural and load-bearing components in mechanical applications. The addition of nano-fillers can potentially improve the mechanical properties of additively manufactured components, making them suitable for structural applications. Carbon nanofillers like graphene and carbon nanotubes are of special interest due to their exceptional properties. Several studies have already demonstrated the use of carbon nanofillers for improving the electrical properties of 3D printed components, facilitating their use in electrical and electronic applications. However, studies focusing on structural and mechanical applications have been limited, and are not widely known. This review seeks to fill this gap by exploring the effect of carbon nanofillers on the mechanical and thermal properties of AM parts and their use in structural applications. The effect of parameters like print orientation, nanofiller addition method, and nanofiller dispersion are also explored. The review points out that there are improvements in mechanical and thermal properties due to carbon nanofiller addition, which makes the AM components more suitable for structural application.