Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process based on the sequential addition of material layers, allowing thus to print either 2D parts (thin or thick films substrate assisted and obtained then as self-standing films or supporting films/ coatings) or bulk 3D parts consisting of different materials with variable physical and chemical properties. The Global sales in 3D printing (products and services) rose by 21% from 2017, reaching 7B$ in 2018. Various techniques are available and belong to the family of 3D printing of solid materials, while the most well-known ones are the electron beam freeform fabrication, the direct metal laser sintering, and the fused filament fabrication (FFF). Due to the unique possibility to manufacture complex 3D objects layer by layer, as well as due to the relatively low-cost 3D printers available in the market nowadays, AM utilising nanomaterials could be employed in new ways toward greater control over material properties across part dimensions. The multifunctionality endowed through nanomaterials’ incorporation as additives can further extend capabilities of nanocomposites to i.e. by-design and patient specific biomedical equipment and personalised medicine applications, tuned and tailored gradients in electrical and thermal conductivity, increased strength and reduced weight, photonic emissions tunable for wavelength, etc., all of which are elaborated in this mini review article. In specific, FFF 3D printing method that a main focus is given herein could allow direct 3D printing of nano enabled thermoplastic filaments endowing the nanocomposite’s functionality to the bulk 3D printed derived objects.

Keywords: Three-Dimensional (3D) printing; Rapid prototyping; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Additive manufacturing; Two-Dimensional (2D) printing; Polymers; Nanocomposites