Material design factors in the additive manufacturing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composites: A state-of-the-art review

Materials design advancements are now paramount to further the course of additive manufacturing (AM) of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. This is due to the increased prospect of such composites in a wide range of applications, ranging from space to automotive subjected to stringent mechanical performance requirements. A synergy of the high strength-to-weight ratio of the CFRP composites coupled with design freedoms inherent in AM techniques offers several interesting opportunities to customize and increase access to mechanical parts. However, several challenges are currently preventing the AM fabrication of the composites from realizing satisfactory mechanical properties compared to some of the traditional methods such as autoclave molding, extrusion molding, compression molding, etc. The challenges can be improved with a better understanding and appropriation of materials design factors that define the controllable material features which could be suitably varied to obtain desired mechanical performances. This paper reviews the literature on the material factors that influence the mechanical performance of parts composed of short-fiber CFRP composites fabricated through the AM technique. Thermoplastic matrix compositions, chain arrangements, and structural morphology effects are discussed in relation to the ease of processing and the final mechanical performance of fabricated composites. Operating environmental effects on mechanical performance were reviewed and also works of literature on the current state of development in the simulation modeling of material factors in the AM fabrication of CFRP composites were discussed.