Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a sustainable and innovative manufacturing technology to fabricate products with specific properties and complex shapes for additive manufacturable materials including polymers, steels, titanium, copper, ceramics, composites, etc. This technology can well facilitate consumer needs on products with complex geometry and shape, high strength and lightweight. It is sustainable with having a layer-by-layer manufacturing process contrary to the traditional material removal technology—subtractive manufacturing. However, there are still challenges on the AM technologies, which created barriers for their further applications in engineering fields. For example, materials properties including mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the additively manufactured products are greatly affected by using different ways of AM methods and it was found as the material anisotropy phenomenon. In this study, a detailed literature review is conducted to investigate research work conducted on the material anisotropy phenomenon of additively manufactured materials. Based on research findings on material anisotropy phenomenon reported in the literature, this review paper aims to understand the nature of this phenomenon, address main factors and parameters influencing its severity on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of 3D printed parts, and also, explore potential methods to minimise or mitigate this unwanted anisotropy. The outcomes of this study would be able to shed a light on improving additive manufacturing technologies and material properties of additively manufactured materials.
Highlights
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process of printing successive layers of materials on top of each other to form a final product [1]
A meshed 3D computer model can be developed by computer-aided design (CAD) software in a format of Surface Tessellation Language (STL) file and it will be input into the 3D printer
Different methods of AM were developed as namely fused deposition modelling (FDM), powder bed and inkjet head 3D printing (3DP), stereolithography (SLA), three-dimensional printing (3DP), digital light processing (DLP), selective laser sintering (SLS), laminated object manufacturing (LOM), polyjet and paste extrusion printing or direct writing 3D printing (DW), etc
Summary
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process of printing successive layers of materials on top of each other to form a final product [1]. A major benefit of adopting AM to conventional manufacturing technologies, including moulding injection, extrusion and subtractive manufacturing is its capability to produce products with much more complex shapes and geometries it can significantly reduce the amount of waste [3,4]. In this manufacturing technology, a meshed 3D computer model can be developed by computer-aided design (CAD) software in a format of Surface Tessellation Language (STL) file and it will be input into the 3D printer. This process found its way into many industries and fields such as producing lightweight parts, components, structures and systems for the automotive and aerospace industry, architectural modelling for presenting the functionality
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
