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The integration of endless fiber reinforced composites in additive manufacturing enables the automated production of materials with high mechanical properties such as strength. The current state of the art utilizing print heads with separate fiber and matrix feeds showed that, without active infiltration, the fiber infiltration is poor or not possible for thermoplastics with low flowability (high viscosity). In this work, the improvement of the print head technology and the investigated infiltration effect lead to a significantly higher infiltration. The material selection of thermoplastic matrix (PA6) and fiber reinforcement (carbon fiber) were adjusted for the new process parameters. The selection of the fiber matrix combination was conducted using the interfacial tension calculations at room temperature. The polar and dispersive surface energy of two different carbon fibers as well as the wetting of PA6 polymer melts on carbon fibers and on aluminum carriers were investigated. The calculation of composite properties using material data of the matrix and fiber was used to determine the process windows for specific parameters such as layer height, layer width and nozzle size. Furthermore, the mechanical properties and the cost of the composite can be determined in relationship with the materials used and the fiber volume content. The composition of the fiber sizing and the influence of high processing temperatures was characterized using TGA, FTIR spectroscopy and XPS analysis. The processing parameters and rheological behavior of PA6 thermoplastic resins and mixtures were investigated, and a mixture of 75 wt.% Ultramid B3k and wt.25% of Ultramid B50l from BASF was used for the composite fabrication by material extrusion. The optimization of the extrusion process enables the production of filaments with higher flowability (low zero viscosity), with the fiber infiltration improved by the adjusted rheological behavior. Samples for mechanical and optical analysis were fabricated using the self developed print head and three different types of carbon fibers. Three point bending properties were investigated as a function of layer height and printing temperature; tensile properties of single composite strands fabricated with different printing temperatures and multilayer composite were also characterized. The fiber volume content and the porosity were evaluated in crosssectional analyses. The investigated material combinations, optimization of process parameters and the fiber roving infiltration effect in the print head leads to higher mechanical properties and lower porosity in the composite.

additive manufacturing; 3D printing; composite

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The engineering and utilization of biocomposites is a research field of major scientific and industrial interest worldwide. The biocomposite area is extensive and spans from structured and solid biocomposites (e.g., reinforced bioabsorbable polymers), films (e.g., antimicrobial barriers), to soft biocomposites (e.g., use of alginates, collagen and nanocellulose as components in bioinks for 3D bioprinting). Key aspects in this respect are the appropriate engineering and production of biomaterials, nanofibres, bioplastics, their functionalization enabling intelligent and active materials, processes for effective manufacturing of biocomposites and the corresponding characterization for understanding their properties. The current Special Issue emphasizes the bio-technological engineering of novel biomaterials and biocomposites, considering also important safety aspects in the production and use of bio- and nanomaterials.

Encapsulation --- 3D Printing --- Surface modification --- Microbiology --- Cellulose --- Biocompatibility --- Scaffolds

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Three-dimensional printing is a futuristic technology capable of transforming the ways in which we make components and devices. It is almost certain that this technique will find its niche in the manufacturing sector in the very near future. In view of the growing importance of 3D printing, this book addresses key issues related to emerging science and technology in this area. Detailed and informative articles are presented in relation to a wide variety of materials, including those based on critical engineering metals such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium and composites. Advances in various techniques, such as electron beam melting and selective laser melting are discussed. Of key importance in the area of materials science is the end properties of the materials following processing. Accordingly, the articles presented critically discuss the effects of microstructural features such as porosity, forming defects and the heat treatment induced effects on the mechanical properties. Applications covered in these articles are targeted at the aerospace, automobile, defense and aerospace sectors. Overall, the information presented in this book is of significant importance for academic and industrial-based researchers who wish to inform themselves regarding this upcoming highly promising manufacturing technique.

composites --- laser metal deposition --- additive manufacturing --- titanium --- selective laser melting --- magnesium --- aluminum --- 3D printing --- electron beam melting

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Metal 3D printing, as an advanced forming, can manufacture parts directly from digital model by using layer by layer material build-up approach. This manufacturing method can prepare complex shape metal parts in short time, with and high precision. Three-dimensional printing processes can be classified into two major groups: Powder Bed Fusion-based technologies and Directed Energy Deposition. Three-dimensional printing features freedom of part complexity, part design, and light-weighting for aerospace, automobile, and other industries application. The Global Metal 3D Printing Market is mainly driven by the the fast developing of aerospace and automobile industry. The Global Metal 3D Printing Market size was valued at USD 534.18 Million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 4458.76 Million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 30.38% from 2021 to 2028.

Three-dimensional printing. --- Printing, Three-Dimensional. --- 3-D printing --- 3D printing --- 3DP (Three-dimensional printing) --- Additive manufacturing

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Additive manufacturing or 3D printing, manufacturing a product layer by layer, offers large design freedom and faster product development cycles, as well as low startup cost of production, on-demand production and local production. In principle, any product could be made by additive manufacturing. Even food and living organic cells can be printed. We can create, design and manufacture what we want at the location we want. 3D printing will create a revolution in manufacturing, a real paradigm change. 3D printing holds the promise to manufacture with less waste and energy. We can print metals, ceramics, sand, synthetic materials such as plastics, food or living cells. However, the production of plastics is nowadays based on fossil fuels. And that’s where we witness a paradigm change too. The production of these synthetic materials can be based also on biomaterials with biomass as feedstock. A wealth of new and innovative products are emerging when we combine these two paradigm changes: 3D printing and biomaterials. Moreover, the combination of 3D printing with biomaterials holds the promise to realize a truly sustainable and circular economy.

Three-dimensional printing. --- Manufacturing industries --- Green products. --- Environmental aspects. --- Earth-friendly products --- Environmentally safe products --- Commercial products --- Green marketing --- Recycled products --- 3-D printing --- 3D printing --- 3DP (Three-dimensional printing) --- Rapid prototyping --- Additive manufacturing --- additive manufacturing --- sustainable --- design --- product development --- circular economy --- 0n-demandbiomaterials --- 3d printing